Global Health

Cephalosporins: how do they work?

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2024

There are currently tons of of antimicrobial agents in the marketplace for the treatment of infectious organisms. One commonly prescribed class of antibiotics are cephalosporins, a sort of beta-lactam antibiotic that’s energetic against a wide selection of organisms (Letourneau, 2022). Let’s have a look at cephalosporins and the way they work.

AND

How do cephalosporins work?

Bacteria grow and replicate by forming a cell wall using cross-linking peptidoglycan units (sugar and amino acids) and penicillin-binding proteins (PBP, peptidoglycan transpeptidase) (Bui and Preuss, 2023). Using their beta-lactam ring structure, cephalosporins integrate into the cell wall of susceptible, mature Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. It binds to at least one or more penicillin-binding proteins, stopping cell wall formation, resulting in cell death (Bui and Preuss, 2023; Facts and Comparisons, 2023).

AND

Generations of cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are divided into five “generations” of antibiotics based on their activity against aerobic and Gram-negative bacilli, in addition to Gram-positive bacteria.
AND



AND Parenteral Cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol) Cephalothin (Keflin, Seffin)* Cefapirin (Cefadyl)* Cefradine (Velosef)* Oral Cefadroxil (Duricef, Ultracef) Cefalexin (Keflex, Biocef, Keftab) Cefradine (Velosef)*	Most cocci are Gram-positive Some Gram-negative bacteria ae	Uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections (i.e. cellulitis, abscesses) Infections: Bones and joints Respiratory tract Urogenital system Biliary ducts Blood circulation (sepsis) Skin Inflammation of the center ear Surgical prophylaxis Endocarditis
AND Parenteral Cefamandole (Mandol)* Cefonicid (Monocid)* Cefuroxime (Kefuorx, Zinacef) Cephamycin subgroup Cefmetazole (zefazone)* Cefotetan (Cefotetan) Cefoxitin (mefoxine) Oral Cefaclor (Ceclor) Cefprozil (Cefzil) Cefuroxime-acetyl (Ceftin) Loracarbef (Lorabid)*	Cephamycin subgroup:	Similar indications to first-generation cephalosporins Lyme disease in pregnant women and youngsters Respiratory infections similar to bronchiolitis or pneumonia Prevention of abdominal and pelvic infections Oral: Inflammation of the center ear Respiratory infections Urinary tract infections
AND Parenteral Cefoperazone (Cefobid)* Cefotaxime (Claforan) Ceftazidime (Fortaz) Ceftizomine (Cefizox)* Ceftriaxone (Rocefon) moxalactam* Oral Cefdinir (Omnicef) Cefditoren (Spectracef)* Cefixime (Suprax) Cefpodoxime-poxetil (Vantin) Ceftibuten (Cedax)*	When administered intravenously, they cross the blood-brain barrier and treat cerebrospinal fluid infection	Meningitis (gram-negative) Meningitis in children Gonorrhea (penicillin resistant) Lyme disease affecting the central nervous system or joints Oral Inflammation of the center ear Urinary tract infections
AND Parenteral Cefepime (Maksypime) Cefpirome (Cefrom)*	Similar activity to the third generation Cefepime may penetrate the cerebrospinal fluid Gram-negative bacilli producing beta-lactamase Methicillin sensitive (MSSA)	Neutropenia (fever) Infections within the abdominal cavity, skin and urinary tract Pneumonia
AND Parenteral Ceftaroline (Teflaro) Cefiderocol (Fetroja) Ceftobiprole (Zeftera)* Combination measures Ceftolozane-tazobactam (Zerbaxa) Cefazidime-avibactam (Avycaz, Zavicefta) Cefoperazone-sulbactam*	Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) Vancomycin Intermediate (VISA) Penicillin resistant	Soft tissue infections Community-acquired pneumonia Healthcare or ventilator-associated pneumonia Complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis

AND

Nursing Considerations (Letourneau, 2022; Bui and Preuss, 2023)

Cephalosporins are probably the most common beta-lactam antibiotics. Nurses should consider the next when administering these antimicrobials to their patients.

Most parenteral cephalosporins have a brief serum half-life, requiring more frequent dosing. Cefazolin and ceftriaxone have longer half-lives and don’t require frequent dosing.
In patients with severe renal impairment, the dosage of cephalosporins (except ceftriaxone) will should be adjusted. The total each day dose mustn’t exceed 2 grams in patients with renal and hepatic impairment.
() can develop resistance to cephalosporins by changing the structure of their PBPs. These are generally known as methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and are vulnerable to 5^vol generation of cephalosporins.
Common unintended effects include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite and abdominal pain. Less common unintended effects include drug-induced immunohemolytic anemia (DIIHA), vitamin K deficiency, nephrotoxicity, and pseudomembranous colitis.
Cephalosporins are contraindicated in patients who’ve a history of allergic reactions or who may experience an anaphylactic response to penicillin or other beta-lactam drugs, in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia that will cause jaundice, and in children lower than 28 days of age in the event that they are expected to receive containing calcium.
Cefepime toxicity may cause seizures and encephalopathy.

Full information may be present in the drugs’s package leaflet or within the Nursing2024 Medicines Manual + medicines updates.
AND

AND
Bui, T., & Preuss, C. V. (2023, March 24). Cephalosporins. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551517/

AND
Facts and Comparisons (2021, September 14). Cephalosporins. . https://fco.factsandcomparisons.com/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/fc_dfc/5545961

AND
Letourneau, A. R. (2022, August 16). Cephalosporins. . https://www.uptodate.com/contents/cephalosporins

AND
Werth, B. J. (2022, September). Cephalosporins. . https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/bacteria-and-antibiotic-drugs/cephalosporins

AND

Sentinel Nurse

Global Health

Cephalosporins: how do they work?

How do cephalosporins work?

Generations of cephalosporins

Nursing Considerations (Letourneau, 2022; Bui and Preuss, 2023)

93 Comments

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply

Trending

How do cephalosporins work?

Generations of cephalosporins

Nursing Considerations (Letourneau, 2022; Bui and Preuss, 2023)

93 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Leave a Reply

Trending

Leave a Reply