Cefotaxime sodium is a semisynthetic, broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. It’s a 3rd Generation Cephalosporin that is FDA approved for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections, genitourinary infections, gynecologic infections, bacteremia/septicemia, skin and skin structure infections, intra-abdominal infections, bone and/or joint infections and central nervous system infections. The bactericidal activity of cefotaxime sodium results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. Cefotaxime sodium has in vitro activity against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Cefotaxime sodium has a high degree of stability in the presence of ß-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Increased nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of cephalosporins and aminoglycoside antibiotics. Common adverse reactions include injection site pain, injection site phlebitis, rash, diarrhea, vomiting. Increased nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of cephalosporins and aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Cephradine is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephradine is active against the following organisms in vitro: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci; Staphylococci, including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative, and penicillinase-producing strains; Streptococcus pneumoniae (formerly Diplococcus pneumoniae); Escherichia coli; Proteus mirabilis; Klebsiella species; Hemophilus influenza. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections (e.g., skin, ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections). Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients receiving cephradine both orally and intravenously. Diarrhea generally starts 1 to 16 days after starting cephradine therapy. Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting. Hypersensitivity reactions have included rash, urticaria, pruritus, and joint pain. Bacteriostats may interfere with the bactericidal action of cephalosporins in acute infection; other agents, e.g., aminoglycosides, colistin, polymyxins, vancomycin, may increase the possibility of nephrotoxicity.

Cefixime, an antibiotic, is a third-generation cephalosporin like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. Cefixime is highly stable in the presence of beta-lactamase enzymes. As a result, many organisms resistant to penicillins and some cephalosporins due to the presence of beta-lactamases, may be susceptible to cefixime. The antibacterial effect of cefixime results from inhibition of mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. Like all beta-lactam antibiotics, cefixime binds to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, causing the inhibition of the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefixime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor. Cefixime is sold under the brand name Suprax, indicated for the treatment of: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Otitis Media Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral)

Ceftazidime is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, beta-lactam antibiotic, used especially for Pseudomonas and other gram-negative infections in debilitated patients. Ceftazidime is used to treat lower respiratory tract, skin, urinary tract, blood-stream, joint, and abdominal infections, and meningitis. The drug is given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) every 8–12 hours (two or three times a day), with dose and frequency varying by the type of infection, severity, and/or renal function of the patient. Injectable formulations of ceftazidime are currently nebulized "off-label" to manage Cystic Fibrosis, non-Cystic Fibrosis bronchiectasis, drug-resistant nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and post-transplant airway infections. Ceftazidime is generally well-tolerated. When side effects do occur, they are most commonly local effects from the intravenous line site, allergic reactions, and gastrointestinal symptoms. According to one manufacturer, in clinical trials, allergic reactions including itching, rash, and fever, happened in fewer than 2% of patients. Rare but more serious allergic reactions, such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme, have been reported with this class of antibiotics, including ceftazidime. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, were reported in fewer than 2% of patients.

Cefaclor is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for oral administration. As with other cephalosporins, the bactericidal action of Cefaclor results from inhibition of cell-wall synthesis. Cefaclor is indicated in the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: Otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, staphylococci, and Streptococcus pyogenes; Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pyogenes; Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis, caused by Streptococcus pyogenes; Urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis and cystitis, caused by Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp., and coagulase-negative staphylococci; Skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Adverse effects considered to be related to therapy with cefaclor are: Hypersensitivity reactions, Rarely, reversible hyperactivity, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, hypertonia, dizziness, hallucinations, somnolence and diarrhea. Patients receiving Cefaclor may show a false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine with tests that use Benedict's and Fehling's solutions and also with Clinitest® tablets. There have been reports of increased anticoagulant effect when Cefaclor and oral anticoagulants were administered concomitantly.

Cefadroxil is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin with a broad antibacterial spectrum and a high chemotherapeutic potential when administered orally. Many studies have established the efficacy of the administration of once- or twice-daily cefadroxil in the management of infections in the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and bones and joints.

Cephalexin is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration. In vitro tests demonstrate that the cephalosporins are bactericidal because of their inhibition of cell-wall synthesis. Cephalexin has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms both in vitro: Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains), Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, Proteus mirabilis. Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of the respiratory tract, skin and skin structure, bone and genitourinary tract infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms.

Loracarbef (KT3777) is carbacephem antibiotic structurally identical to cefaclor, except that the sulfur atom of position 1 of the cephem nucleus has been replaced by carbon. It showed good affinity for penicillin-binding proteins. At low concentrations (< 2 mg/L) in vitro, it inhibits Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, beta-haemolytic streptococci groups B, C and G. Proteus mirabilis and Moraxella catarrhalis, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. At therapeutic plasma concentrations it is also active in vitro against most strains of Staphylococcus aureus, S. saprophyticus, Escherichia coli and beta-lactamase-positive and -negative strains of Haemophilus influenzae. Loracarbef has been indicated in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms.

Cefprozil is a 2nd generation cephalosporin that is FDA approved for the treatment of mild to moderate infections of upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, and uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections. Cefprozil, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Common adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and vaginitis. Nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of aminoglycoside antibiotics and cephalosporin antibiotics. Concomitant administration of probenecid doubled the AUC for cefprozil.

Cephradine is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephradine is active against the following organisms in vitro: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci; Staphylococci, including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative, and penicillinase-producing strains; Streptococcus pneumoniae (formerly Diplococcus pneumoniae); Escherichia coli; Proteus mirabilis; Klebsiella species; Hemophilus influenza. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections (e.g., skin, ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections). Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients receiving cephradine both orally and intravenously. Diarrhea generally starts 1 to 16 days after starting cephradine therapy. Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting. Hypersensitivity reactions have included rash, urticaria, pruritus, and joint pain. Bacteriostats may interfere with the bactericidal action of cephalosporins in acute infection; other agents, e.g., aminoglycosides, colistin, polymyxins, vancomycin, may increase the possibility of nephrotoxicity.