by Tami Port MS

Created on: June 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

There are many different classes of antibiotics, each exerting a different type of inhibitory effect that specifically impacts bacteria. Bacterial cells are prokaryotic; primitive cells that differ significantly from human eukaryotic cells. The difference between these two cell types allows for selective toxicity; the ability of an antibiotic to harm bacteria cells while not harming the cells of the host. Antibiotic cephalosporins work by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacteria cell wall, a structure that human cells don't possess.

Each article in this series covers a specific class of antibiotic and includes the following information:

* a list of the specific antibiotics that fall in the class (generic and brand names)
* mode of action
* type of infection the antibiotic class to against
* type of bacteria inhibited or killed
* pros and cons of using that class of antibiotics

* Different Classes of Antibiotics *

Some of the main classes of antibiotics include:

* Aminoglycosides
* Cephalosporins (Beta-lactam)
* Macrolides
* Penicillins (Beta-lactam)
* Quinolones (Fluoroquinolones)
* Sulfonamides
* Tetracyclines

* Cephalosporin Antibiotics *

Cephalosporins are categorized by "generation," a classification that relates to their antimicrobial properties. There are four generations of cephalosporin; each newer generation having greater gram-negative antimicrobial effectiveness than the generation before. The later the generation, the greater the cephalosporin's effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains.

Cephalosporins include the following drugs. There are many different types and brands of cephalosproins, and this list is by no means exhaustive.

~ First Generation Cephalosporins ~

* Cefadroxil (cefadroxyl; Duricef)
* Cefalexin (cephalexin; Keflex)
* Cefalotin (cephalothin; Keflin)
* Cefapirin (cephapirin; Cefadryl)
* Cefazolin (cephazolin; Ancef, Kefzol)
* Cefradine (cephradine; Velosef)

~ Second Generation Cephalosporins ~

* Cefaclor (Ceclor, Distaclor, Keflor, Raniclor)
* Cefonicid (Monocid)
* Cefprozil (cefproxil; Cefzil)
* Cefuroxime (Zinnat, Zinacef, Ceftin, Biofuroksym)

~ Third Generation Cephalosporins ~

* Cefdinir (Omnicef)
* Cefixime (Suprax)
* Cefotaxime (Claforan)
* Cefpodoxime (Vantin, PECEF)
* Ceftibuten (Cedax)
* Ceftizoxime (Cefizox)
* Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
* Cefoperazone (Cefobid)
* Ceftazidime (Fortum, Fortaz)

~ Fourth Generation Cephalosporins ~

* Cefepime (Maxipime)

* Cephalosporin Mode of Action *

Cephalosporins are a type of beta-lactam

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