One of the groups of highly effective antibiotics is cephalosporins. They were discovered back in the middle of the 20th century, but in recent years many new drugs have been received. There are already five generations of such antibiotics. The most common cephalosporins in tablets. They are quite effective against many infections and are well tolerated even by young children. It is convenient to take them, and often they are chosen by doctors in the treatment of infectious diseases.
The historical development of this group of antibiotics
Back in the 40s of the 20th century, the Italian scientist Brodzu discovered a fungus with antibacterial activity when studying the causative agents of typhoid. It turned out to be effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Later, the scientist isolated a substance called cephalosporin C from this fungus. On its basis, antibacterial drugs began to be created , combined into a group of cephalosporins. They turned out to be resistant to penicillinase and began to be used in cases where penicillin was ineffective. The first drug in this group was Cephaloridin.
Now there are five generations of cephalosporins, uniting more than 50 drugs. In addition to preparations based on the fungus, semi-synthetic products have also been created that are more stable and have a wide spectrum of action.
How do these antibiotics work?
The antibacterial effect of cephalosporins is based on their ability to destroy the enzymes that form the basis of the bacterial cell membrane. Therefore, they show activity only against growing and multiplying microorganisms. The drugs of the first two generations were effective for staphylococcal and streptococcal infections, but were destroyed by beta-lactamases produced by gram-negative bacteria. Recent generations of drugs in which the main active substance extracted from the fungus was associated with synthetic substances have proven to be more stable. They are used for many infections, but have been found to be ineffective against staphylococci and streptococci.
Classification of Cephalosporins
You can divide these drugs into groups according to different criteria: by the spectrum of action, effectiveness or route of administration. But the most common is their classification by generation:
- First-generation antibiotics were obtained in the 60s of the 20th century. These are “Cephalexin”, “Cefazolin”, “Cefadroxil” and others. They now have many analogues and forms of release: in the form of injections, tablets, capsules or suspensions;
- The second generation of antibiotics is more resistant to beta-lactamase. Such cephalosporins in tablets are often used: “Cefuroxime axetil” and “Cefaclor”;
- the third generation includes Cefixim, Ceftibuten, Cefotaxime and others;
- in the fourth generation so far there are only drugs for injection. They are already resistant to beta-lactamase and have a wider spectrum of action against gram-positive bacteria. These are “Cefipim” and “Cefpir”;
- 5th generation cephalosporins have recently been obtained. In tablets, they are also not yet available, but injections of these drugs are considered highly effective against many infections.
Scope of Cephalosporins
These drugs are quite effective, but not all microorganisms are susceptible to their effects. Cephalosporins may be useless against enterococci, pneumococci, listeria, pseudomonas, chlamydia and mycoplasma. But these diseases are easily treatable by them:
- cystitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis and other kidney infections;
- streptococcal tonsillitis;
- infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- otitis media;
- sinusitis;
- acute and chronic bronchitis;
- gonorrhea;
- shigellosis;
- furunculosis;
They are effective for the prevention of postoperative infections.
Side effects of these drugs
Cephalosporins in tablets are fairly easy to tolerate, but can sometimes cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. With the injection of drugs, a burning sensation and an inflammatory reaction at the injection site are possible. Usually cephalosporins are low toxic and well tolerated even by young children. Like all antibacterial drugs, they can cause allergic reactions and disturbances in the liver and kidneys. It is also possible to change the picture of blood. Usually, parenteral treatment with cephalosporins is carried out under the supervision of a doctor in a medical institution. Serious side effects in such cases can be avoided. With outpatient treatment, in which cephalosporins are used in tablets, one must strictly follow the instructions and take additional drugs for the prevention of dysbiosis. That is why such drugs can not be used independently without a doctor's prescription.
Why are cephalosporins in tablets more commonly used?
Price plays an important role in this matter. After all, you do not need to additionally buy syringes and solutions, pay for the services of medical personnel. Tablets for a course of treatment can be purchased from 50 to 250 rubles, a suspension is more expensive - about 500.
The psychological effect is also very important. Many patients, especially children, are very sensitive to the fact of the injection.
When injected, local inflammatory reactions are possible. That is why more and more often in medicine the method of step therapy is used, when, when the patient's condition improves, they switch to the oral route of administration of the drug. This is especially applicable in pediatric practice. And in general, for the treatment of children, they try to use antibiotics of the cephalosporin group in tablets. This is most justified in the treatment of mild infections. But in any case, you need to rely on the advice of a doctor. Only a specialist can determine whether cephalosporin will help in this case.
Instructions for use
The tablets or capsules in which these antibiotics are available should be drunk strictly on the recommendation of a doctor.
Typically, adults are prescribed 1 gram of the drug every 6-12 hours. For children, the dosage is calculated taking into account the weight and the medicine is given no more than three times a day. For ease of dosing, tablets with a dividing strip are available, as well as syrup and suspension, which have a pleasant taste. It is in this form that cephalosporins are most often used to treat children. These drugs are not used only in infants younger than 3 months. Most often, the course of treatment lasts 7-10 days, but it all depends on the patient's condition. Usually, after improvement, you need to continue taking the drug for another 2-3 days. It is best to drink the medicine after a meal, so cephalosporins in tablets are better absorbed. The instruction also warns that at the same time they need to take antifungal drugs and drugs against dysbiosis.
Cephalosporins of the first three generations
These are already studied, long-used and common drugs. Many of them exist in different forms:
- in powder for solution for injection;
- in powder for suspension;
- in capsules;
- in tablets containing different dosages of the active substance;
- in syrup for children.
All these drugs are often prescribed in the treatment of mild infections of the upper respiratory tract, genitourinary system, skin and soft tissues. From the first to the third generation of these antibiotics, an increase in activity against gram-negative bacteria is observed, but gram-positive microorganisms become more resistant to them.
The first generation of these antibiotics, in addition to drugs whose names directly indicate their affiliation, include Biodroxil, Keflex, Palitrex, Sephryl and Solexin. Cephalosporins 2 generations in tablets are most often used, since their high effectiveness is combined with good tolerance. The best known drugs are Zinnat, Supraks, Axosef, Zinoksimor and Zeklor. Relatively recently, cephalosporins antibiotics in 3rd generation tablets began to be produced. They can be found under such names: "Orelox", "Zedex" and others. They are most often used in pediatric practice.
Modern cephalosporins
Antibiotics of this group, belonging to the 4th and 5th generations, appeared relatively recently. They are semi-synthetic antibacterial drugs and have a wide spectrum of action.
While such drugs are used only as an injection, that’s how they work best. Scientists are unable to ensure that cephalosporin tablets are absorbed just as quickly, without losing their activity. Of the fourth generation, the following drugs are most often used: Maksipim, Cefepim, Isodepom, Kaiten, Ladef, Movizar and others. All of them are used in an inpatient setting to treat severe infections. 5th generation antibiotics have recently appeared - Ceftozolan and Ceftobiprol Medocaril. They were even more effective against most known microorganisms.