Tag: Cephalosporin generations

With more than 40 cephalosporin antibiotics available worldwide, these beta-lactam drugs are classified into five distinct generations based on their antimicrobial spectrum of activity. Understanding what are the names of cephalosporins is key to appreciating how their coverage shifts from primarily gram-positive bacteria in the first generation towards broader gram-negative and multi-drug resistant coverage in later generations.

First derived from the fungus *Cephalosporium*, cephalosporins are a large, diverse group of antibiotics that belong to the class known as **$\beta$-lactams**. These bactericidal drugs are widely prescribed to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections due to their effectiveness and relatively low toxicity. The classification of cephalosporins into distinct generations is based on their increasing antimicrobial reach and resistance to bacterial enzymes.

Both penicillins and cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis. However, key structural differences in their core rings and side chains explain **what makes cephalosporins different from penicillins**, leading to variations in their antimicrobial spectrum and resistance profiles.