ATC Group: J01DB First-generation cephalosporins

Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin for oral administration which inhibits bacterial wall synthesis of actively dividing cells by binding to one or more penicillin-binding proteins.

Cefalexin is an antibacterial agent of the cephalosporin class. Like other cephalosporins cefalexin exerts antibacterial activity by binding to and inhibiting the action of penicillin-binding proteins involved in the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. This leads to bacterial cell lysis and cell death.

Cephalothin is a first generation, semisynthetic analogue of natural cephalosporin antibiotic. The in-vitro bactericidal action of cephalothin results from inhibition of cell-wall synthesis. In general, cephalothin has higher activity against Gram positive than Gram negative organisms. Cephalothin is primarily indicated in conditions like bone and joint infection, genitourinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, soft tissue and skin infections and others.

Cefatrizine is a broad-spectrum, semisynthetic, first-generation cephalosporin with antibacterial activity. Cefatrizine binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs are enzymes involved in the terminal stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall and in reshaping the cell wall during growth and division. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. This results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis.

Cefazolin is a bactericidal cephalosporin antibiotic of the first generation for parenteral administration. Cephalosporins inhibit cell wall synthesis (in the growth stage) through blocking the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) like transpeptidases. The outcome is a bactericidal action.

Cefradine is a broad-spectrum, bactericidal first generation cephalosporin antibiotic active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also highly active against most strains of penicillinase producing Staphylococci. The anti-bacterial action of cefradine is through inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.