Third-generation cephalosporins

Preview

Although new clinical applications are being recognized for third-generation cephalosporins, the authors suggest that these drugs be used only for well-defined indications. Excessive use fosters the emergence of resistant organisms and wastes valuable, expensive drugs. Disorders for which these agents are emerging as preferred therapy—gonorrhea, chancroid, and leukopenia with bacterial infection—are described. Other uses discussed, for which third-generation cephalosporins appear to be effective, include early syphilis and neurosyphilis, typhoidal and paratyphoidal disease, and late stages of Lyme disease.