Cephalosporin brand and generic names by generation
Generations describe typical spectrum emphasis, not a strength ranking. Learn the brand, generic, generation, and route together.
First generation (mostly Gram-positive cocci; some Gram-negative)
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type | Route / form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keflex | cephalexin | 1st-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Duricef | cefadroxil | 1st-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Ancef | cefazolin | 1st-gen cephalosporins | Injection |
Historical brands: Duricef and Ancef have discontinued US brand products; generic ingredients remain available.
Second generation (broader Gram-negative, including Haemophilus influenzae)
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type | Route / form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceftin | cefuroxime axetil | 2nd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Cefzil | cefprozil | 2nd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Ceclor | cefaclor | 2nd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
Ceclor and Cefzil are historical brands; Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) is the oral prodrug of cefuroxime.
Third generation (extended Gram-negative; key IV agents for serious infections)
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type | Route / form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omnicef | cefdinir | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Suprax | cefixime | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Vantin | cefpodoxime proxetil | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Oral |
| Rocephin | ceftriaxone | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Injection |
| Claforan | cefotaxime | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Injection |
| Fortaz | ceftazidime | 3rd-gen cephalosporins | Injection |
Rocephin, Claforan, and Fortaz are historical injectable brands. Oral third-generation pairs are often confused—learn Omnicef, Suprax, and Vantin as separate rows.
Fourth generation (hospital Gram-negative including Pseudomonas)
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type | Route / form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxipime | cefepime | 4th-gen cephalosporins | Injection |
Fifth generation / anti-MRSA and newer combination products
| Brand name | Generic name | Class or type | Route / form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teflaro | ceftaroline fosamil | Anti-MRSA cephalosporins | Intravenous infusion |
| Zerbaxa | ceftolozane, tazobactam | Anti-pseudomonal cephalosporin combinations | Intravenous infusion |
| Avycaz | ceftazidime, avibactam | Anti-pseudomonal cephalosporin combinations | Intravenous infusion |
| Fetroja | cefiderocol | Siderophore cephalosporins | Intravenous infusion |
Ceftaroline is often grouped as fifth generation (anti-MRSA). Zerbaxa and Avycaz add beta-lactamase inhibitors; Fetroja (cefiderocol) uses a siderophore uptake mechanism.
Understanding cephalosporin generations
First-generation cephalosporins such as cephalexin and cefazolin emphasize Gram-positive cocci. Second-generation agents such as cefuroxime and cefprozil extend Gram-negative coverage, including many Haemophilus influenzae strains.
Third-generation cephalosporins add broader Gram-negative activity; ceftriaxone and cefotaxime are common injectable examples, while cefdinir, cefixime, and cefpodoxime represent oral third-generation pairs. Ceftazidime is third generation with strong Pseudomonas activity and appears alone and in combination products.
Fourth-generation cefepime adds broader hospital Gram-negative coverage. Fifth-generation ceftaroline covers methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Newer combinations (ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam) and cefiderocol belong in advanced study sets rather than the core Top 200 list.
Naming patterns and memory tips
Most generics begin with cef-; cephalexin uses ceph-. The prefix suggests the family but not the generation.
Drill the look-alike trio cefazolin (1st), cefuroxime (2nd), and ceftazidime (3rd) as three separate brand pairs. Generation labels help only after each generic is tied to its brand.
Commonly confused cephalosporin names
Cephalexin and cefazolin
Keflex pairs with oral cephalexin; Ancef pairs with injectable cefazolin. Both are first generation but are not interchangeable products.
Cefdinir, cefixime, and cefpodoxime
Omnicef–cefdinir, Suprax–cefixime, and Vantin–cefpodoxime proxetil are three oral third-generation pairs. Proxetil marks the prodrug in Vantin.
Ceftazidime alone versus combination products
Fortaz–ceftazidime is a single-ingredient third-generation cephalosporin. Avycaz adds avibactam; Zerbaxa pairs ceftolozane with tazobactam. Treat each row as its own study entry.
Cephalosporins and penicillins
Both are beta-lactam antibiotics. Amoxicillin is a penicillin, not a cephalosporin. See the penicillin and antibiotic guides for cross-class contrasts.