Cephalosporins bind to bacterial enzymes that are necessary for the formation of the cellwall, hence being bactericidal.
Classification: First generation injectables have useful anti-staphylococcal activity and comprise cephazolin, cephradine, cephalridine and cephalothin.
Second generation injectables have anti-staphylococcal activity but certain Gram-negative organisms are also susceptible. They comprise cefuroxime, cefamandole and cefoxitin.
Third generation injectables are mainly effective against Gram-negative organisms but not against staphylococci. They comprise cefotaxime, cefsoludin and latamoxef.
The orally active cephalosporins can be considered equivalent to the first generation injectables and comprise cephalexin, cephradine, cefaclor and cefadroxil.