Which medication is a cephalosporin?

Which medication is a cephalosporin?

• A. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
• B. Amoxicillin
• C. Doxycycline
• D. Aztreonam

Answer: (A)

Cephalosporins are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics that kill bacteria by blocking cell wall synthesis, sharing a beta-lactam ring and typically becoming more broad in spectrum with newer generations. Ceftriaxone fits this class as a third-generation cephalosporin, usually given IV and known for strong activity against many Gram-negative bacteria with good penetration into the central nervous system, making it a common choice for serious infections like meningitis. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, not a cephalosporin. Doxycycline is a tetracycline that inhibits protein synthesis. Aztreonam is a monobactam, another beta-lactam but not a cephalosporin. So the medication that is a cephalosporin is ceftriaxone.

Cephalosporins are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics that kill bacteria by blocking cell wall synthesis, sharing a beta-lactam ring and typically becoming more broad in spectrum with newer generations. Ceftriaxone fits this class as a third-generation cephalosporin, usually given IV and known for strong activity against many Gram-negative bacteria with good penetration into the central nervous system, making it a common choice for serious infections like meningitis. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic, not a cephalosporin. Doxycycline is a tetracycline that inhibits protein synthesis. Aztreonam is a monobactam, another beta-lactam but not a cephalosporin. So the medication that is a cephalosporin is ceftriaxone.