Cephalosporins
Medication | Common Uses | Some Potential Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
First generation | ||
Cefadroxil Cefazolin Cephalexin Cephradine | Mainly skin and soft-tissue infections Given before surgical procedures to prevent infections For cephalexin: Urinary tract infections | Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
Second generation | ||
Cefaclor Cefotetan Cefoxitin Cefprozil Cefuroxime | Some respiratory infections | Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
Third generation | ||
Cefdinir Cefditoren Cefixime Cefotaxime Cefoperazone 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) |
Fourth generation | ||
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) |
Anti-MRSA cephalosporins | ||
Ceftaroline/fosamil Ceftobiprole/medocaril | Infections due to susceptible bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) | Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) |
Other cephalosporins | ||
Cefiderocol | Urinary tract infections or pneumonia 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) |
Ceftolozane/tazobactam | Complicated urinary tract or abdominal infections due to sensitive organisms | Gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea* Nausea Allergic reactions (more likely in people allergic to penicillin) Kidney and liver problems |
* 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. | ||