3rd Generation Cephalosporins

Summary

Third generation cephalosporins are a group of beta-lactam antibiotics widely used in the hospital setting. There are two drug names in the third-generation that are important to remember - ceftriaxone and ceftazidime. These antibiotics have broad coverage, as they are effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Ceftriaxone is used to treat bacterial meningitis, Lyme disease, and gonorrhea. Ceftazidime can treat pseudomonas infections.

Key Points

• 3rd Generation Cephalosporins
  • Drug Names
    • cefTRIAXONE 
    • cefTAZIDIME
    • CefoTAXIME
    • CefPODOXIME
    • ceFIXime
  • Mechanism
    • Same as other Cephalosporins (see: Cephalosporin Overview)
  • Clinical Use
    • Broad gram positive and negative coverage
      • Clinically used for serious gram-negative infections
    • Ceftriaxone
      • Meningitis
        • Crosses blood-brain-barrier (BBB)
      • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
      • (Disseminated) Lyme
    • Ceftazidime
      • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Adverse Effects
    • Same as other Cephalosporins (see: Cephalosporin Overview)