Compare and contrast the five
generations of cephalosporins
2nd
Activity -Variable activity against gram
positive bacteria but increased activity
against gram negative bacteria
Structural features and chemistry- Broader spectrum of
activity than most first generation due to greater steric
hindrance provided by the methoxy group
Cefoxitin - Methoxy
substituent at position 7
(steric hindrance) – Urethane
group ( good metabolic
stability to esterase )
Cefuroxime – Iminomethoxy
group at alpha position of the
acyl side chain ( Increase
resistance to B-lactamases
and mammalian esterases)
4th
Activity- Broadest spectrum of activity, with similar
activity against gram-positive organisms as first
generation cephalosporins. Greater resistance to
beta-lactamases than the third generation
cephalosporins
Structural feature and chemistry-
Cefepime and Cefpirome–
Zwitterionic compounds (radically
enhance the ability to penetrate
outer membrane of Gram negative
bacteria, good affinity for
transpeptidase enzyme, low affinity
for variety of B-lactamases)
3rd
Activity- Broad spectrum
and the effective against
both gram positive and
gram negative bacteria.
Optimum activity is against
gram negative bacteria.
structural features and
chemistry-Ceftazidime-
aminothiazole ring
enhances the
penetration through
lipopolysaccharide and
increase affinity for
transpeptidase
1st
Activity- Effective
against gram
positive bacteria
and have little
effect against
gram negative
bacteria.
structural
features
and
chemistry
Cephaloridine – pyridinium group at
position 3 (good leaving group, not
readily hydrolysed by esterase)
Cephalothin- acetyoxy group at
position 3 (good leaving group but is
readily hydrolysed by esterase)
Cefalexin – Methyl substituent at position 3 (not good
leaving group but help oral absorption) -Hydrophilic
amino group at 7-acylamino side chain (compensate
bad activity)
5th
Activity- Broad spectrum
activity against gram negative
bacteria such as MRSA
structural features and
chemistry- a bicyclic ring
with four-member
β-lactam ring fused to a
six-member cephem ring
Ceftaroline- thiazolylthio
group cause the activity
against MRSA
Side effects
6. a) bleeding
disorders b)
Flushing,
tachycardia,
vomiting with
alcohol intake
(cefamandole,
moxalactam &
cefoperazone)