antibioticsbooks

70 PART 2 Antibacterial Drugs
Cefazolin
1st
Gram-positive activity
Cefuroxime
2nd
Ceftriaxone
3rd
Cefepime
4th
Gram-negative activity
Ceftaroline
5th
Figure 6–2
Cephalosporin Activity by Generation
numbers, particularly for later-generation
agents. However, using any cephalosporin in a
patient with a penicillin allergy is a matter of
balancing risks and benefits. Assess the validity
of the patient’s allergy through interview and
consider the level of risk associated with cephalosporin
administration. Be skeptical of nausea,
but be sure to take hives and any signs of anaphylaxis
very seriously! Use alternative classes
of antibiotics when practical.
• The cephalosporins are generally more resistant
to beta-lactamases than penicillins are.
Beta-lactamases that are active against penicillins
but inactive against cephalosporins are
called penicillinases. Beta-lactamases that
inactivate cephalosporins (cephalosporinases)
also exist and are increasing in prevalence.