Distinguishing Second vs. Third-Generation Cephalosporins: Understanding the Clinical Differences
Cephalosporins are a group of antibiotics that are commonly used in the treatment of bacterial infections. They are classified into different generations based on their spectrum of activity against different bacteria. Second and third-generation cephalosporins are two groups of antibiotics that have significant differences in their structure, mechanism of action, and clinical uses. Structure and Mechanism of Action The key difference between second and third-generation cephalosporins is their chemical structure. Second-generation cephalosporins have a shorter side chain than third-generation cephalosporins, which makes them less effective against Gram-negative bacteria.