cephalosporins and cephamycins

Last reviewed 01/2018

The cephalosporins are broad spectrum antibiotics which, like penicillin, are excreted by the kidney. This excretion can be blocked by probenecid.

The main side-effect is hypersensitivity and approximately 8% of patients hypersensitive to penicillin will also be hypersensitive to the cephalosporins.

The cephalosporins can be divided into 3 generations;

First generation - Cephazolin, cephradine, cephalexin and cefadroxil. Second generation - Cefuroxime, cephamandole, and cephaclor Third generation - Cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime and cefixime.

Cefoxitin is a cephamycin antibiotic.

The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing any of the drugs described.