Chapter 39: Penicillins, Cephalosporins, and Other β-Lactam Antibiotics

INTRODUCTION

This chapter will be most useful after having a basic understanding of the material in Chapter 53, Penicillins, Cephalosporins, and Other β-Lactam Antibiotics in Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12th Edition. In addition to the material presented here, the 12th Edition contains:

• A detailed discussion of the mechanisms of action and resistance of the penicillins and cephalosporins

• A detailed discussion of each of the penicillins and cephalosporins, including their pharmacokinetics and therapeutic uses in specific infections

• Figure 53-3 which shows a comparison of the structure and composition of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cell walls

• Table 53-1 which shows the chemical structures and major properties of the various penicillins

• Table 53-2 which shows the chemical structures and dosage forms of selected cephalosporins and related compounds

• Table 53-3 which shows the cephalosporin generations and the useful spectrum of each generation

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the mechanisms of action of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and other β-lactam antibiotics.

• Understand the mechanisms of resistance of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and other β-lactam antibiotics.

• Describe the therapeutic effects of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and other β-lactam antibiotics.

• Describe the untoward effects and contraindications of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and other β-lactam antibiotics.