Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are a group of semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotics derived from the natural antibiotic cephalosporin C. They have a similar mode of action to penicillins, disrupting bacterial cell-wall synthesis, but tend to have a broader spectrum of action and wider safety margin. Examples commonly used in treatment of farm animals include cephapirin, cephradine and ceftiofur. Residue limits and withdrawal times protect the food supply, and prudent use helps preserve their effectiveness. Allergy to penicillin may mean cross-reactivity, so medical histories matter before treatment.