The cephalosporins are broad spectrum antibiotics which, like penicillin, are excreted by the kidney. This excretion can be blocked by probenecid.
The main side-effect is hypersensitivity and approximately 8% of patients hypersensitive to penicillin will also be hypersensitive to the cephalosporins.
The cephalosporins can be divided into 3 generations;
First generation - Cephazolin, cephradine, cephalexin and cefadroxil. Second generation - Cefuroxime, cephamandole, and cephaclor Third generation - Cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime and cefixime.
Cefoxitin is a cephamycin antibiotic.
The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing any of the drugs described.
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