antibioticsbooks

Second-Generation
Cephalosporins
Agents: cefuroxime, cefoxitin, cefotetan,
cefprozil, loracarbef, cefmetazole, cefonicid, cefamandole,
cefaclor
Compared with first-generation cephalosporins,
second-generation agents have better Gram-negative
activity and somewhat weaker Gram-positive
activity, though they are still used for these organisms.
They are more stable against Gram-negative
beta-lactamases and are particularly active against
Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrheae.
Though the second-generation agents are the most
numerous cephalosporins, they are probably the
least utilized in U.S. hospitals.
Mechanism of Action
All beta-lactams inhibit cross-linking of peptidoglycan
in the cell wall, leading to autolysis and cell
death.
Spectrum
Good: some enteric GNRs, Haemophilus, Neisseria
Moderate: streptococci, staphylococci, anaerobes
(only cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefmetazole)
Poor: enterococci, MRSA, Pseudomonas
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