Cephalosporins for pneumonia

Examples

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Chemical Name

cefaclor

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Duricef	cefadroxil

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Maxipime	cefepime

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Suprax	cefixime

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Cefzil	cefprozil

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Cedax	ceftibuten

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Ceftin	cefuroxime axetil

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Rocephin	ceftriaxone

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Keflex	cephalexin

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Lorabid	loracarbef

How It Works

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Cephalosporins kill bacteria.

Why It Is Used

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Doctors use cephalosporins to treat pneumonia, especially in people who are severely ill and in the hospital, are older than 65, and who have other long-lasting (chronic) illnesses (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]). These antibiotics are effective against the bacteria most likely to cause pneumonia in people in these categories.

How Well It Works

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In general, all antibiotics used have a high cure rate for pneumonia. For people in the hospital, cure rates are 73% to 96%. Outside of the hospital, cure rates are generally above 80%.¹

Cephalosporins are effective against many types of bacteria that cause lower respiratory tract infections. But some bacteria may be resistant to them.

You most likely will see some improvement in symptoms 2 to 3 days after treatment starts with cephalosporins. In most cases, unless you get worse during that time, treatment is not changed for at least 3 days. The number of days you continue to take antibiotics depends on your illness and the type of antibiotic.

Side Effects

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The most common side effects of cephalosporins are:

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Sore mouth or tongue.
• Skin rash.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

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Cephalosporins and amoxicillin combined with clavulanate (Augmentin) often are good choices for treating older people, especially those with long-lasting (chronic) lung diseases, such as COPD.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

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Citations

1. Loeb M (2006). Community acquired pneumonia, search date April 2005. Online version of Clinical Evidence (15): 1–10.

Credits

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Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care, Medical Toxicology
Last Updated	April 2, 2007