II. General
- Spectrum changes from first to third generation
- First Generation: Better Gram Positive Cocci coverage
- Third Generation: Better Gram Negative Rod coverage
III. Contraindications
- Drug allergy to other Cephalosporin
- Type I Hypersensitivity Reaction to a Penicillin
- Less than 10% of those who report Penicillin Allergy actually have a Penicillin Allergy
- Cross reactivity was originally over-estimated as high as 10% in the 1960s
- Attributed to cross contamination from co-production of Cephalosporins and Penicillins in the same factory
- Penicillin Allergy has only an overall 1-2% risk of cross-reactivity with Cephalosporins
- Penicillin Anaphylaxis confers a 0.001% risk of Anaphylaxis to Cephalosporins
- Cross reactivity appears primarily limited to First Generation Cephalosporins and Penicillins
- Third Generation Cephalosporins have minimal to no allergy cross reactivity
- Campagna (2012) J Emerg Med 42(5): 612-20 [PubMed]
- Aminopenicillins (Amoxicillin and Ampicillin) allergy and allergy to first and Second Generation Cephalosporins: High
- R1-side chain of Aminopenicillins are similar to first and Second Generation Cephalosporins (esp. Cefprozil, Cefadroxil)
- Reaction rate is as high as 27% for Cefadroxil
- Campagna (2012) J Emerg Med 42(5): 612-20 [PubMed]
IV. Class: First Generation Cephalosporins
- Oral Agents
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Cephradine (Velosef)
- Cefadroxil (Duricef)
- Parenteral Agents
- Organisms covered
V. Class: Second Generation Cephalosporins
-
Second Generation Broad-spectrum Cephalosporins
- Oral Agents
- Organisms Covered
-
Second Generation Anti-anaerobe Cephalosporins
- Parenteral Agents
- Organisms Covered (growing Anaerobe resistance)
- Bacteroides fragilis
VI. Class: Third Generation Cephalosporins
-
Third Generation Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporins
- Oral agents
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Only indication is for Gonorrhea
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
- Does not cover Enterobacter or Pseudomonas
- Cefdinir (Omnicef)
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Parenteral agents
- Cefotaxime (Claforan)
- Ceftizoxime (Cefizox)
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Organisms Covered
- Oral agents
-
Third Generation Anti-Pseudomonal Cephalosporins
- Parenteral Agents
- Organisms Covered
- Pseudomonas
- EKP Gram Negative Bacteria
- ESP Gram Negative Bacteria
- Poor Gram Positive Cocci coverage
- No Coccobacilli coverage
VII. Class: Fourth Generation Cephalosporins
- Parenteral Agents
- Organisms Covered
- Broad spectrum Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms building on third generation coverage
- Beta-Lactamase resistant organisms
- Pseudomonas coverage
VIII. Class: Fifth Generation Cephalosporins
-
Parenteral Agents
- Ceftaroline
- Ceftolozane and Tazobactam (Zerbaxa)
- Ceftazidime and Avibactam (Avycaz)
- Organisms Covered
- Broad spectrum Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms building on third generation coverage
- Pseudomonas coverage
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
IX. Dosing: Adults
- Almost all Cephalosporins
- Typical Dose: 1-2 grams IV q8h
- Exceptions
- Ceftriaxone 1-2 grams IV q24 hours
- Cefotetan 1-2 grams IV q12 hours
X. Dosing: Children
- Almost all Cephalosporins
- Typical dose: 100-200 mg/kg/day divided q8 hours
- Exceptions
- Ceftriaxone 75-100 mg/kg/day q24 hours
XI. Prevention: Reducing Adverse Effects
- Least Diarrhea
- Best taste
- Loracarbef (Lorabid)
- Cefixime (Suprax)
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin, taste applies to under age 2 years)
XII. References
- Pensa and Hayes in Swadron (2022) EM:Rap 22(9): 6-8