Cephalosporins vs Penicillins

What is the primary reason why cephalosporins are more resistant to bacterial degradation compared to penicillins?

What is the primary mechanism of action of penicillins?

What is the primary source of cephalosporins?

What type of bacteria are basic penicillins effective against?

What is the typical administration route for cephalosporins due to their fast degradation rate?

What is a common use of penicillins in treatment?

What is a common complication associated with cephalosporin use?

Who is credited with the discovery of penicillins?

Why is penicillin G benzathine not administered orally?

What is a unique characteristic of basic penicillins?

What is the primary indication for using penicillin G benzathine?

What is the primary advantage of using penicillin G procaine?

What is the preferred route of administration for sensitive infections requiring penicillin?

Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are a type of β-lactam antibiotics.
They are more resistant to bacterial penicillinases that inactivate β-lactamatus compared to penicillins.
Cephalosporins are more effective against staphylococci than penicillins.
They are derived from Streptomyces and are manufactured as semisynthetic.
Due to fast pharmaceutical degradation, cephalosporins are administered parenterally (via injection or infusion).

Administration and Elimination

Cephalosporins are eliminated in the kidneys.
Dose adjustment is required in moderate to severe renal impairment.
The risk of drug-induced AKI (acute kidney injury) is a limiting factor in the use of cephalosporins.

Penicillins

Penicillin G benzathine is not water-soluble but dissolves in gastric juices, releasing slowly from the site of injection.
It allows for a weekly dosing regimen and is used to treat the carrier state of groups A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
Penicillin G procaine is given by intramuscular injection and is rapidly absorbed, but inactivated by hydrolysis.
Penicillins are used to treat both ambulatory-acquired and nosocomial infections, including community-acquired pneumonia, acute maxillary sepsis, and others.

Penicillin Characteristics

Penicillins are effective against bacterial cell walls.
Basic penicillins include penicillin G and penicillin V, which are effective against Gram-positive bacteria.
They have excellent penetration into the meninges and are useful in treating meningococcal and pneumococcal infections.
Penicillins are relatively resistant to hydrolysis.

Compare and contrast cephalosporins and penicillins, two types of β-lactam antibiotics, including their differences in resistance to bacterial enzymes and effectiveness against various bacterial strains.