Cephalosporins

Question 1

What are the 1st generation Cephalosporins?

Answer 1

• Cephalexin
• Cefadroxil

Question 2

What are the 2nd generation Cephalosporins?

Answer 2

• Cefaclor
• Cefuroxime axetil
• Cefprozil

Question 3

What do 1st generation Cephalosporins have the greatest activity against?

Answer 3

Gram (+) aerobic cocci

• Streptococci (viridans group)
• Non MRSA

Question 4

What do 2nd generation Cephalosporins have the greatest activity against?

Answer 4

Gram (-) anaerobic bacteria

Lose some activity against gram (+) cocci

Question 5

What do 3rd generation Cephalosporins have the greatest activity against?

Answer 5

• Lost even more activity against gram (+) cocci
• But have expanded efficacy against gram (-) bacteria
  
  • Bacteroides fragilis
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • beta-lactamase producing strains of Haemophilus and Neisseria

Question 6

Are Cephalosporins considered 1st line drugs?

Answer 6

NO

Question 7

What generation of Cephalosporins are preffered for orofacial infections, where indicated?

Answer 7

2nd generation (cefaclor, cefuroxime, cefprozil)

Question 8

Pts who have been shown to be specifically allergic to amoxicillin should avoid what cephalosporins?

Answer 8

• Cefadroxil (1st)
• Cefprozil (2nd)
• Cefatrizine