Cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams.
Nonpenicillin beta-lactams exhibit a variable spectrum of antimicrobial activity, have a wide range of clinical uses and a favorable safety profile. Cefepime's twice-daily dosage and increased activity against Enterobacteriaceae may offer some advantages over older cephalosporins. The carbapenems offer a broad antimicrobial spectrum, and meropenem has an improved safety profile compared with imipenem. Aztreonam is a useful alternative for patients with aerobic gram-negative infections who are allergic to penicillin. The emergence of resistant organisms, however, is an increasing problem with the frequent use of these antibiotics.
Asbel
L E
LE
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
Levison
M E
ME
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008997:Monobactams / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008997:Monobactams