Cephalosporins
What are Cephalosporins?
Types of Cephalosporins
Please refer to the drug classes listed below for further information.
Cephalosporins are a large group of antibiotics derived from the mold Acremonium (previously called Cephalosporium). This mold yielded three main compounds, historically called Cephalosporin N and C, and P, from which the first cephalosporins were derived.
Cephalosporins are bactericidal (kill bacteria) and work in a similar way to penicillins. They bind to and block the activity of enzymes responsible for making peptidoglycan, an important component of the bacterial cell wall. They are called broad-spectrum antibiotics because they are effective against a wide range of bacteria.
Since the first cephalosporin was discovered in 1945, scientists have been improving the structure of cephalosporins to make them more effective against a wider range of bacteria. Each time the structure changes, a new "generation" of cephalosporins are made. So far there are five generations of cephalosporins. All cephalosporins start with cef, ceph, or kef.
Please refer to the drug classes listed below for further information.
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