Cephalosporins are medicines that kill bacteria or prevent their growth. They are used to treat infections in different parts of the body, including the ears, nose, throat, lungs, sinuses, and skin. Physicians may prescribe these drugs to treat pneumonia, strep throat, staph infections, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and gonorrhea. These drugs will not work for colds, flu, and other infections caused by viruses.

The structure of cephalosporin C, the first of the cephalosporin family of antibiotics, was discovered in the 1950s by English scientists Edward Abraham and Guy Newton. Examples of currently used cephalosporin drugs are cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil (Duricef), cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol, Zolicef), cefixime, (Suprax), cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefprozil (Cefzil), ceftazidime (Ceptaz, Fortaz, Tazicef, Tazideme), cefuroxime (Ceftin) and cephalexin (Keflex). These medicines are available only with a physician's prescription. They are sold in tablet, capsule, liquid, and injectable forms.

Always take cephalosporins exactly as directed by your physician. Never take...