Miscellaneous

Cephalosporins - Synthesis and Drug Profile

Miscellaneous

i. Cefoperazone

Synthesis

Properties and uses: Cefoperazone exists as white powder. It is a third-generation, antipseudomonal cephalosporin that resembles piperacillin, chemically and microbiologically. It is less active than cephalothin against gram-positive bacteria and less active than cefamandole against most of the enterobacteria.

ii. Cefaparole

Synthesis

Adverse reactions of the cephalosporins

The cephalosporins produce a number of adverse effects. Examples are the following:

 i. Allergic manifestation: The cephalosporins should be avoided or used with caution in individuals allergic to penicillins. When cefamandole or cefoperazone is ingested with alcohol, a disulphiramlike effect is seen, because these cephalosporins block the second step in alcohol oxidation, which results in the accumulation of acetaldehyde.

 ii. Bleeding: Bleeding can occur with cefemandole or ceforperazone because of antivitamin K effects. But the administration of the vitamin overcomes this problem.