The difference between the first, second, third and fourth generations of cephalosporin antibiotics is mainly due to the differences in the characteristics of their antimicrobial action and the scope of clinical application.
1. The first generation of cephalosporins: including cefazolin, cephradine, etc., for the Gram-positive globular bacterial infections have a better inhibition, clinically mainly used for the upper respiratory tract or soft tissue skin infections.
2. Second-generation cephalosporins: including cefamandole, cefuroxime, etc., its antibacterial spectrum has been expanded compared with the first generation, clinically used for the prevention of surgical infections, can also be used for the treatment of the respiratory tract, skin, soft tissues, and genitourinary tract infections.
3. Third-generation cephalosporins: including ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, etc., which have better inhibitory effect on gram-negative bacillus infections.
4. Fourth-generation cephalosporins: including such as cefepime, cefpirome, cefozonan, etc., compared with the above cephalosporins, its antibacterial effect on drug-resistant bacteria has been enhanced, and clinically used for severe bacterial infections.
Cephalosporins are prescription drugs, the specific use of which should also be carried out under the guidance of a physician on medical advice, and not blindly use the drug.