Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins
Drug |
Common Uses |
Some Side Effects |
1st generation |
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Cefadroxil Cefazolin Cephalexin |
Given before surgical procedures to prevent infections |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
2nd generation |
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Cefaclor Cefotetan Cefoxitin Cefprozil Cefuroxime |
Some respiratory infections For cefoxitin: Abdominal infections |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
3rd generation |
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Cefdinir Cefditoren Cefixime Cefotaxime Cefpodoxime Ceftazidime Ceftibuten Ceftriaxone |
Given by mouth: Broad coverage of many bacteria for people with mild-to-moderate infections, including skin and soft-tissue infections Given by injection: Serious infections (such as meningitis or infections acquired in a hospital) |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
4th generation |
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Cefepime |
Serious infections (including Pseudomonas infections), particularly in people with a weakened immune system, and infections due to susceptible bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
5th generation |
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Ceftaroline |
Infections due to susceptible bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecalis |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
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Ceftobiprole† |
Infections due to susceptible bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Enterococcus faecalis |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
Novel cephalosporins |
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Cefiderocol |
Urinary tract infections due to susceptible bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter, in people over 18 years of age who have limited or no alternative treatment options |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
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Ceftolozane plus tazobactam |
Complicated urinary tract or abdominal infections, or hospital-acquired pneumonia or ventilator-associated pneumonia due to sensitive organisms |
Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Kidney and liver problems |
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* Almost any antibiotic can cause Clostridioides difficile–induced diarrhea and inflammation of the colon (colitis), but clindamycin, penicillins, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones are the most common causes. |
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† Ceftobiprole is not available in the United States. |
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