Cefradine

(Cephradine)

Appearance: White to yellow crystalline powder

Store: 2-8 °C

Description

Cefradine (also known as cephradine) is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic which a has similar anti-bacterial spectrum of activity to cefalexin. Cefradine is freely soluble in aqueous solution at 21.3 mg/mL.

Mechanism

Like β-lactams, cephalosporins interfere with PBP (penicillin binding protein) activity involved in the final phase of peptidoglycan synthesis. PBP’s are enzymes which catalyze a pentaglycine crosslink between alanine and lysine residues providing additional strength to the cell wall. Without a pentaglycine crosslink, the integrity of the cell wall is severely compromised and ultimately leads to cell lysis and death. Resistance to cephalosporins is commonly due to cells containing plasmid encoded β-lactamases.