Cefazolin is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic mainly used for the treatment of skin bacterial infections and other moderate to severe bacterial infections in the lung, bone, joint, stomach, blood, heart valve, and urinary tract. A semisynthetic cephalosporin analog with broad-spectrum antibiotic action due to inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
In vitro tests demonstrate that the bactericidal action of cephalosporins results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins.
- Primary indication
- Mainly used to treat bacterial infections of the skin.Curator reviewed · 18 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C14H14N8O4S3 · 454.507 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1988
- Also known as
- Cefamezin · Cefamezine · Cephamezine · Cephazolidin · Cephazolin
- Code names
- J01DB04
Resolves to
MLYYVTUWGNIJIB-BXKDBHETSA-NSMILES[H][C@]12SCC(CSC3=NN=C(C)S3)=C(N1C(=O)[C@H]2NC(=O)CN1C=NN=N1)C(O)=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Cefazolin, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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