Cephalosporins can sometimes interact with other medications you’re taking. It’s often used to treat infections, including MRSA infections, that are resistant to other antibiotics.As with any kind of medication, you can be allergic to cephalosporins. All rights reserved. For example, a routine case of strep throat might be treated with a course of oral cephalosporins.Intravenous (IV) cephalosporins are used for more severe infections. There are different generations of cephalosporins, and some are better suited to treat certain infections than others. endstream endobj startxref They’re also more active against bacteria that may be resistant to previous generations of cephalosporins.The third generation also tend to be less active than previous generations against Gram-positive bacteria, including One third-generation cephalosporin, ceftazidime (Fortaz), is often used to treat Third-generation cephalosporins may also be used to treat:A few examples of third-generation cephalosporins include:Third-generation cephalosporins are effective against many Gram-negative bacteria and bacteria that haven’t responded to first- or second-generation cephalosporins.Cefepime (Maxipime) is the only fourth-generation cephalosporin that’s available in the United States. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic.It works by fighting bacteria in your body. %PDF-1.5 %���� © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. While effective against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, it’s usually reserved for more severe infections.Cefepime can be used to treat the following types of infections:Cefepime can be administered intravenously or with an intramuscular injection. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you take, including supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications. In fact, some first-generation cephalosporins are commonly used to treat UTIs in pregnant people.However, you shouldn’t take cephalosporins if you’re breastfeeding. The most common sign of an allergic reaction to cephalosproins is a skin rash.In rare cases, cephalosprins may cause a serious allergic reaction known as Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. They can be taken orally or injected into a vein (intravenous injection), depending on the infection.Read on to learn more about cephalosporins, including what they treat and the side effects they can cause.Healthcare providers use cephalosporins to treat a variety of bacterial infections, especially for people who are allergic to penicillin, another common antibiotic.Some examples of infections that cephalosporins can treat include:Oral cephalosporins are generally used for simple infections that are easy to treat. Since August 2012, the third-generation cephalosporin, ceftriaxone, is the only recommended treatment for gonorrhea in the United States (in addition to azithromycin or doxycycline for concurrent Chlamydia treatment). Make sure you take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, even if you start to feel better before finishing them. 625 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<5381B3908159B64BAD2511F2634FF859><9C6E2FF78B1D5B4FADEB5749A3372ABA>]/Index[594 66]/Info 593 0 R/Length 138/Prev 139406/Root 595 0 R/Size 660/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream But they’re only somewhat effective against Gram-negative bacteria.First-generation cephalosporins might be used to treat:Examples of first-generation cephalosporins include:First-generation cephalosporins are more effective against Gram-positive bacteria, though they also work against some Gram-negative bacteria.Second-generation cephalosporins also target some types of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Most 3rd-generation cephalosporins, including ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, are also active against some gram-positive species, especially streptococci including some … 594 0 obj <> endobj 0 But they’re less effective against certain Gram-positive bacteria than first-generation cephalosporins are. h�b```�G�J� ce`a�� ��;��[ ��Z�� G� ��hV�v�D�C�x�K�=n��8{O�t�\y��5�� B� � �؁��l`���` q��>��@Z���"���j� Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. All rights reserved. 659 0 obj <>stream They’re generally used for more severe infections or for those with weakened immune systems. Other authors state that third-generation cephalosporins and clindamycin are an appropriate alternative for treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children with a history of any type of hypersensitivity reaction to amoxicillin (Wald et al 2013). Seek immediate medical treatment if you’re taking a cephalosporin and experience symptoms of anaphylaxis.It’s rare to be allergic to both penicillin and cephalosporins. %%EOF But if you’ve had a serious anaphylactic reaction to penicillin antibiotics in the past, you shouldn’t take cephalosporins. ���53,n����|@{B؆݋ Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. There are five generations of cephalosporins.To understand the differences between the generations, it’s important to understand the difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.One of the main distinctions between the two is their cell wall structure:First-generation cephalosporins are very effective against Gram-positive bacteria. It’s uncommon to have an allergy to both penicillin antibiotics and cephalosporins, so cephalosporins can be used cautiously in people with a penicillin allergy.However, people who’ve had a serious anaphylactic reaction to penicillin antibiotics shouldn’t take cephalosporins.In addition, some cephalosporins are more likely to cause a reaction in people with a penicillin allergy.