II. Mechanism
- Third Generation Cephalosporins are divided into two groups
- Third Generation Broad-Spectrum Cephalosporin (included on this page)
- Third Generation Anti-Pseudomonal Cephalosporin
- Spectrum of Activity of broad spectrum agents
- Gram Positive Cocci
- Less activity than First Generation Cephalosporins
- EKP Gram Negative Bacteria
- ESP Gram Negative Bacteria
- Better activity than First Generation Cephalosporins
- Better activity than Second Generation Cephalosporins
- No Pseudomonas activity
- Contrast with Third Generation Anti-Pseudomonal Cephalosporin
- Gram Positive Cocci
III. Preparations: Oral agents
-
Cefixime (Suprax)
- Adult
- Standard: 400 mg PO divided qd to bid
- Gonorrhea: 400 mg PO for single dose
- Child: 8 mg/kg/day divided daily to twice daily
- Adult
-
Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
- Good activity Gram Positive organisms
- Covers Staphylococcus aureus
- Covers Pneumococcus
- Adult: 100 to 400 mg orally twice daily
- Child
- Pharyngitis: 10 mg/kg/day divided twice daily
- Otitis Media: 10 mg/kg/day taken daily
- Good activity Gram Positive organisms
-
Cefdinir (Omnicef)
- Age >13 years, Adult: 300 mg orally twice daily or 600 mg orally once daily
- Child <13 years old: 14 mg/kg/day divided once to twice daily
- Other oral Third Generation Cephalosporins that are no longer available in the United States
- Cefditoren Pivoxil (Spectracef)
- Ceftibuten (Cedax)
IV. Preparations: Parenteral agents
-
Cefotaxime (Claforan)
- Most Staphylococcus aureus and Anaerobic activity
- Adult: 1 to 2 grams IM or IV every 6 to 8 hours
- Child
- Standard: 50-150 mg/kg/day IM or IV divided q4-6h
- Meningitis: 200 mg/kg/day IV divided q6-8h
- Maximum dose: 2 grams
-
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Least Staphylococcus and Anaerobic activity
- Dilute in Lidocaine 1% for Intramuscular Injection
- In adults, 2 gram dose is preferred in >100 kg or critically ill patients
- Adult
- Standard: 1-2 grams IM or IV every 24 hours
- Gonorrhea: 250 mg IM single dose
- Child
- Standard: 50-75 mg/kg/day IV divided every 12-24 hours
- Meningitis: 100 mg/kg/day IV divided every 12-24 hours (twice daily is preferred)
- Otitis Media: 50 mg/kg IM single dose (max: 1g)
- Maximum Dose: 2 grams (4 grams for Meningitis)
- Other parenteral Third Generation Cephalosporins that are no longer available in the United States
- Ceftizoxime (Cefizox)
- Moderate Staphylococcus aureus and Anaerobic Activity
- Adult: 1 to 2 grams IV every 8 to 12 hours
- Child: 50 mg/kg/dose IV every 6 to 8 hours
- Ceftizoxime (Cefizox)