Cephalosporin is a commonly used antibiotic, mainly used to treat various bacterial infections. The mechanism of action of cephalosporin drugs is to inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls, thereby playing a bactericidal role.

There are many types of cephalosporin drugs, and each cephalosporin drug has different antibacterial spectrum and efficacy.

01 First Generation Cephalosporin

Commonly used drugs: 

    Cefalotin sodium, Cefalexin, cefadroxil, Cefazolin, Cefradine, Cefathiamidine, Cefaclor, Cefalotin, Cefalexin, Cefacetonitrile, Cefpirin, Ceftezole. 
Effect:

    It has antibacterial effect on Gram-positive bacteria infection, including drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and penicillin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. 
Treatment of diseases: 

    It is mainly used to treat mild to moderate respiratory tract infections (such as acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchus), urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint and gynecological infections.

02 Second Generation Cephalosporin

Commonly used drugs:

    Cefuroxime sodium, Cefuroxime axetil, Cefmandole, Cefaclor, Ceftriaxone, Cefmetazole, Cefprozil, Cefonicid, Cefuroxime.

Effect:

    It has strong antibacterial effect on Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive cocci, etc., so it is called a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Treatment of diseases: 

    It is commonly used for respiratory tract, bile duct, intestinal, urinary tract and soft tissue, and gynecological infections.

03 Third Generation Cephalosporin

Commonly used drugs: 

    Ceftriaxone sodium, Cefoperazone, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Ceftizoxime, Cefmenoxime, Cefpiramide, Cefotetan, Cefuroxime, Cefpodoxime proxetil, Ceftriaxone, Cefdizime, Ceftiofuril, Cefdinir, Cefdirox, Cefuroxime, Latamoxef, Ceftibuten, Cefminox, Cefuroxil.
Effect: 

    It has a strong antibacterial effect on Gram-negative bacteria, anaerobic bacteria and Gram-positive bacteria that are severely resistant or even life-threatening.
Treatment of diseases: 

    It is used to treat severe infections such as sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and urinary tract infections. It is the first choice for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections.

04 Fourth Generation Cephalosporin

Commonly used drugs: 

    Cefepime, Cefpirome.
Effect:

    The antibacterial effect is similar to that of the third generation, but the antibacterial spectrum is wider.
Treatment of diseases: 

    Mainly used to treat various serious infections, such as respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, biliary tract infections, sepsis, etc.

05 Fifth Generation Cephalosporin

Commonly used drugs: 

    Ceftaroline, Ceftobiprole, Ceftobiprole
Effect:

    Stronger than the previous four generations for G+, especially for MASR, similar to the fourth generation for G-, effective for resistant strains, highly resistant to β-lactamase, and non-nephrotoxic.

Treatment of diseases:

    Mainly used to treat community-acquired pneumonia and complicated skin and skin tissue infections (including non-limb-threatening diabetic foot infections)