Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series. List of drugs

Cephalosporin antibiotics today they are among the effective means for eliminating signs of inflammation against the background of the multiplication of pathogens.

The list of drugs has increased in recent years, which allows you to choose the right remedy for each patient. For the first time, such drugs began to be used about 70 years ago, but even today they are no less popular, due to their high efficiency.

Principle and mechanism of action of cephalosporin antibiotics

Medicines from the cephalosporin group are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents actions that have the ability to fight various diseases of internal organs at different stages development.

The principle of action of drugs is based on the ability of the main ingredients to suppress the activity of bacteria of various types and provoke a violation of metabolic processes in these microorganisms.

As a result of this effect, there is a rapid death of bacteria and the risk of complications is prevented against the background of the spread of microbes to large areas of healthy tissues.

Medicines can also have bactericidal properties, that is, they destroy microbes and prevent the progression of the inflammatory process. Today, the activity of agents of the cephalosporin series is noted in relation to many gram-positive, gram-negative microorganisms and anaerobes.

The greatest efficiency is observed in the fight against the following pathogens:

• Clostridia.
• Klebsiella.
• Staphylococci and streptococci.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The funds are active against some of its strains.
• Shigella.

After the funds enter the patient's body, there is a fairly rapid spread through the systemic circulation and the concentration of ingredients in the places of the greatest accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms.

The bioavailability of the components in the composition of antibiotics reaches 100%, which explains the high efficiency and speed of action after the application of the primary therapeutic dosage.

The binding of drugs to plasma proteins is approximately 80-95%. The specific indicator depends on the drug, as well as the characteristics of the patient's therapy. The ingredients of the composition hardly accumulate in cells and tissues, are processed within 12-24 hours.

The processing time also depends on the patient's body, the state of his kidneys, and other organs.

The elimination of drugs occurs with the help of the urinary system. Funds rarely provoke an overdose, which is associated with minimal accumulation of ingredients. The features of the effect of drugs from this group depend on which generation a particular drug belongs to.

Today, experts identify 5 generations of cephalosporin antibiotics. Means from each subsequent generation are considered more potent and help fight even advanced forms of the disease.

Preparations from the 1st generation are not used so often today, but drugs from groups 2, 3 and 4 are prescribed for various diseases. In each case, the doctor makes a decision on the appointment of a particular medication after a preliminary diagnostic examination.

Advantages and disadvantages of a group of drugs

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series (the list of drugs includes drugs of different generations) have advantages and disadvantages.

The main advantages of medicines are the following:

• Reduced risk of developing an allergic reaction. For example, when using drugs of the penicillin series, this probability is much higher.
• High efficiency due to the rapid destruction of microorganisms.
• The ability to destroy microbes of different groups that provoke various diseases of internal organs.
• The minimum risk of disturbance of the intestinal microflora when used in standard courses at a moderate dosage. For example, penicillin antibiotics or macrolides often provoke dysbiosis, upset stools, and even pain in the intestinal region. With the use of cephalosporins, such complications can also occur, but the risk is much less.
• Improvement of the patient's condition within 1-2 days after the start of treatment.
• Good tolerance in patients of different ages.
• The ability to use drugs in different forms if necessary.

Despite all the advantages, drugs also have disadvantages. They can provoke complications with prolonged use. Many microorganisms develop resistance to the active ingredients of the formulation, therefore, with reappointment, there is minimal or no efficacy.

The funds can also provoke complications from the digestive tract, namely the stomach, despite the minimal risk of developing negative reactions from the intestine.

Many means of the group are administered parenterally, which is not always convenient for patients. Despite the shortcomings of drugs, they are actively used today and are considered quite effective.

Indications for use

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series (the list of drugs is gradually increasing, thanks to new research by specialists) are prescribed for many diseases of inflammatory origin.

The effectiveness of therapy with such drugs is noted for the following violations:

• Pathologies of the abdominal organs of inflammatory origin. The drugs are effective for acute cholecystitis, peritonitis, pancreatitis. They are prescribed during the recovery period after undergoing surgery on the gallbladder, intestines, stomach. Often the remedies are indicated after the removal of the inflamed vermiform appendix.
• Respiratory pathologies, for example, bronchitis, lung abscess, pneumonia, sinusitis, severe sore throat.
• Diseases of soft tissues of inflammatory origin, accompanied by the formation of purulent foci. The drugs can be used for burns, frostbite, trophic ulcers.
• Inflammatory diseases of bone tissue.
• Diseases of the genitourinary system, for example, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, adnexitis, salpingitis.
• Infection of blood during the progression of pathologies or ingress and infection as a result of surgery.
• Diagnosis of syphilis, uncomplicated gonorrhea.
• Bacterial endocarditis.
• Identification of meningitis at different stages of development.
• Infectious pathologies, for example, salmonellosis.

The wide range of applications allows to treat patients of different ages and with various forms of pathological conditions.

Contraindications

Despite the effectiveness of drugs and good absorption in the body, they have contraindications that are an obstacle to prescribing:

• The patient's age is up to 3 months. Only in some cases is the remedy used for newborns if they do not have an increase in the level of bilirubin in the blood. Premature babies are not prescribed a remedy.
• Diagnosis of enteritis and ulcerative colitis, an acute form of gastric ulcer.
• Internal bleeding in acute form. The drug can be prescribed after elimination of acute symptoms of a pathological condition.
• Intolerance to the components in the composition of the drug, the presence of complications when using the drug in the patient's history.
• Severe renal failure. If patients undergo hemodialysis, drugs are not prescribed.
• Liver pathologies accompanied by organ failure.
• The period of gestation and breastfeeding. Only in some cases is it allowed to use the medicine for individual indications.
• Acute colitis.

In each case, the list of contraindications may increase, so the funds are prescribed after a preliminary examination.

Side effects

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series can provoke complications from the internal organs and the system. The list of drugs includes different remedies. Some of them are more likely to lead to the development of complications, others less often.

Most often, when using drugs, an allergic reaction develops, accompanied by a rash on the skin, peeling and irritation. In some, the allergy spreads to the mucous membranes, provoking their swelling and redness.

Swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation and deterioration in the quality of vision are noted. Allergies can provoke the development of Quincke's edema or acute urticaria. At the same time, the condition of the patients deteriorates significantly, the lack of assistance can lead to death.

On the part of the nervous system, complications manifest themselves in the form of weakness and fatigue, sleep disturbances and increased irritability. Many talk about a decrease in performance, both physical and mental.

Despite the low risk of developing complications from the intestines, some patients experience stool disorder, pain in the abdomen.

Symptoms are accompanied by nausea and heartburn, indigestion, and impaired food processing.

Symptoms disappear after discontinuation of therapy, but may worsen.

From the organs of the genitourinary system, disorders with the use of drugs rarely develop. Sometimes there is a decrease in libido, increased urination. Adverse reactions can manifest themselves in an acute form, but in most cases special treatment is not required to eliminate them.

Overdose

Cephalosporins can provoke complications if instructions are violated and taken in high doses for a long period of time. In case of an overdose, all symptoms are aggravated, concomitant deviations appear.

Usually, with an overdose, acute manifestations of an allergic reaction appear, as well as repeated vomiting during the day. Sometimes, on the background of allergic symptoms, suffocation is observed. In this case, there is a threat to the patient's life.

If symptoms of an overdose occur, it is important to immediately stop using the product and visit a doctor. In severe cases, the patient is required to be admitted to a hospital to provide qualified assistance.

Precautions and special instructions

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series (the list of drugs is quite extensive, which allows you to choose the right remedy for each patient) should be prescribed to patients if indicated. Often, patients take medication on their own, which leads to the development of complications.

A clinical blood test, as well as identifying the degree of neglect of the disease, helps to prescribe exactly the medication that will help in a short time get rid of the symptoms of pathological states.

Experts recommend avoiding the use of funds from one group at the same time, this can provoke complications. When symptoms of dysbiosis appear, medications are prescribed to help restore the intestinal microflora and prevent concomitant deviations.

When treating with medication, it is important to exclude the use of alcoholic beverages. This is associated with an increased risk of liver complications due to the increased load on the organ.

The best drugs in the group

Today on pharmacy shelves you can find many products from the cephalosporin group. They are available in different dosage forms, but in most cases tablets and a lyophilisate are used to produce a solution that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly.

Ceftriaxone

The most popular representative of the group, which has pronounced antibacterial properties and belongs to 3 generation cephalosporins.

The drug contains the substance ceftriaxone, which helps fight the most common pathologies of inflammatory origin, if they were provoked by sensitive to the component microorganisms.

The medicine is prescribed mainly for the defeat of the respiratory system, but can also be used for other diseases. It is produced in the form of a lyophilisate to obtain a solution.

Peculiarities:

1. For 1 bottle of powder, when applied, it is worth adding 10-20 ml of sodium chloride 0.9%.
2. After that, the agent is administered intravenously.
3. With intramuscular infusion, 1 bottle of the drug accounts for 2 ml of water for injection and 2 ml of Lidocaine.

Treatment with medication usually lasts 10 days, but it can be applied in courses of 5 or 14 days if necessary. A one-time norm for an adult in most cases is 1 g, the agent is administered 2 times a day. In severe pathology, a single dosage is increased to 2 g.

In the treatment of children, the dosage is calculated depending on the weight. For 1 kg of body weight, there are 20 mg of funds. When diluting, it should be borne in mind that in each bottle there is 1 g of active substance.

The maximum one-time norm for children can be 50 mg per 1 kg of body weight, it is usually used in severe pathological conditions. A feature of the drug is the possibility of administration 2 times a day or 1 time, if, for example, the doctor prescribed not 2 g per day, but 1 g.

Ceftazidime

Another antibiotic of the 3rd generation cephalosporin group, which has pronounced therapeutic properties. The drug has an effect due to the presence of ceftazidime as the main ingredient.

The medicine has pronounced properties and quickly eliminates the symptoms of diseases of inflammatory origin.

A medication is prescribed for various pathologies:

• respiratory system;
• bone tissue;
• skin;
• organs of urinary excretion.

It is produced in the form of a lyophilisate, from which a solution is prepared for intramuscular and intravenous infusion. During treatment, the agent can be administered 2 times a day. The norm for an adult is 1-4 g, which depends on the severity of the symptoms of the disease.

Unlike Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime is recommended to be administered every 12 hours to maintain a constant level of the active substance in the blood. The drug treatment lasts up to 14 days.

When treating children, the dosage is determined depending on the weight. 1 kg of body weight accounts for 30-50 mg of the drug. The drug is allowed to be administered to children over 2 months of age.

Cefix

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin series (a list of drugs of different generations allows you to choose a medicine with a certain degree of effectiveness) for adults are often used in the form of solutions. However, Cefix is ​​available in capsule and powder form for oral suspension.

The second option is used in the therapy of children. Capsules are taken 2 pieces per day, they are prescribed for adults. The dosage of 1 capsule is 400 mg of the active substance. The drug has an effect due to the presence of cefixime trihydrate in the composition. The duration of treatment with the agent is 10 days.

Children take a suspension of 5 ml 2 times a day for 3-6 days. If necessary, the therapeutic course is extended.

The suspension is allowed to be taken by patients from 6 months. Capsules are prescribed for adults and children over 12 years of age. The drug is considered effective and relatively safe for patients when used correctly.

Cefepim

One of the most effective medicines from the group of cephalosporins, which has pronounced properties and helps to cope with severe forms of pathological conditions. The drug contains cefepime hydrochloride as the main active substance, belongs to the 4th generation of cephalosporins.

A medicine is produced in the form of a lyophilisate for preparing a solution. Appointed in courses of 5-10 days. Usually the drug is indicated for adults with severe pneumonia, bronchitis, and other diseases of the respiratory system.

The patient receives 1 g of the drug per day in the morning and in the evening, it is administered mainly intravenously, which helps to avoid negative reactions with intramuscular injections. When dissolved, sodium chloride 0.9% is used in an amount of 10-20 ml.

If the agent is injected intramuscularly, lidocaine and water for injection are used. The drug acts on the body quite aggressively, so it often provokes complications. It should only be used as directed by a doctor.

Zinnat

A medication from the group of 2nd generation cephalosporins, which acts due to the presence of cefuroxime in the composition as the main active ingredient. The drug is not considered potent, but it helps to eliminate the signs of many diseases of inflammatory origin in the absence of complications.

Usually, the drug is prescribed for mild to moderate severity of the disorder. It is produced in tablet form, as well as in the form of granules intended to obtain a suspension. The tablets can have a dosage of 125 and 250 mg. The first option is intended for children from 3 years old, the second - for adults.

They take 1 pill in the morning and in the evening, but the doctor determines the specific doses and duration of therapy. A suspension for oral administration is prepared from the granules, which is prescribed for children over 3 months old. A one-time norm for a child is 125 mg of the drug.

On an individual basis, the dose and dosage regimen can be adjusted according to indications. Today, the drug is often used, because with timely administration, it brings a rather pronounced result.

Prices of cephalosporin antibiotics

The cost of drugs differs depending on the form of release and the region of distribution. In most cases, the price is affordable and each patient can undergo a therapeutic course if necessary.

Name of the medicine	Price
Ceftriaxone	The price of the medicine starts from 20 rubles. for 1 bottle
Ceftazidime	The cost of 1 bottle is approximately 60-90 rubles.
Cefix	The medicine in different forms costs about 300-400 rubles.
Cefipim	You can buy the medicine for 120-150 rubles. for 1 bottle
Zinnat	The price of the medicine starts at about 250 rubles.

Medicines are available in most pharmacy points, so if necessary, each patient can undergo a therapy course.

Antibiotics from the cephalosporin series are considered among the most effective today. The list of drugs includes drugs from different groups, so an effective remedy can be selected for each patient. Application is permitted only for the intended purpose and after a preliminary examination.

Video about cephalosporin antibiotics

Cephalosporins - inhibitors of cell wall synthesis - mechanism of action, types: