Cephalosporins

Originally isolated from microorganisms. Routes of exposure to cephalosporins are commonly oral, intravenous, or intramuscular. Cephalosporins are generally well absorbed following administration with oral bioavailability being greater than 75%. Hematologic when given in higher doses, cephalosporins bind to cell membrane proteins and act as haptens. High-dose treatments can induce a hemolytic anemia. They can also prolong bleeding times by reducing platelet adhesion and activation. Cephalosporins (a class of β-lactam antibiotics) induce their antimicrobial effect by inhibiting the integration of bacterial peptidoglycan. There are substantial differences among the cephalosporins in their spectra of activity as well as levels of activity against susceptible bacteria. Later-generation cephalosporins also are used in the later stages of livestock raising for adding weight.