Ceftriaxone free acid is a β-lactam cephalosporin compound known for its potent antibiotic activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria. It also has been observed to cross the blood brain barrier and has been used for both antibiotic and investigative purposes for the central nervous system (CNS).

Ceftriaxone has also been used in vivo for suppressing addictive behavior in rats. Researchers had shown ceftriaxone to upregulate glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) expression, which diminishes glutamate concentration in synaptic clefts of the CNS. Ceftriaxone has been shown to effectively decrease glutamate levels which prevents hyper-stimulation of glutamic receptors and concurrently withdrawal symptoms.

Ceftriaxone is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic, which targets gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It has been used in proteomics research and to study prophylactic strategies to treat hemolytic anemia caused by prescription medications. In addition, ceftriaxone has been used to study the penicillin binding proteins, especially PBP1. It has been suggested that it also increases EAA2 pump expression in the central nervous system and decreases glutamatergic toxicity. It is freely soluble in aqueous solution.

Cefuroxime is a second generation cephalosporin antibiotic targeting gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It exhibits some resistance to β-lactamase activity. Cefuroxime sodium is freely soluble in aqueous solution.

Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic most effective against gram-positive cocci. However, it also exhibits efficacy against some gram-negative bacilli. In addition, cephalexin has been used to study the penicillin binding proteins, especially PBP3. Cephalexin hydrate is slightly soluble in aqueous solution.

Cephapirin benzathine is a benzathine salt form of a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Cephapirin benzathine has a wide range of activity against gram negative and gram positive bacteria. It has also been used as an antifungal in animals infected with Candida albicans. Benzathine salt has been shown to prolong the duration of antibiotic activity in cephapirin benzathine.

Cephalosporins are a type of β-lactam antibiotic consisting of a four-membered β-lactam ring bound to a six-membered dihydrothiazine ring. This two-ring system causes distortion of the β-lactam amide bond, resulting in decreased resonance stabilization and increased reactivity. β-lactams inhibit the formation of peptidoglycan cross-links within bacterial cell walls by targeting penicillin-binding proteins or PBPs. Consequently, the bacterial cell wall becomes weak and cytolysis occurs. Cephalosporins are less susceptible to β-lactamases than the penicillin β-lactam antibiotics.

Antibiotics are often used in clinical in vitro tests known as antimicrobial susceptibility tests or ASTs to determine their efficacy against certain bacterial species. They are tested against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria using panels, discs, and MIC strips by medical microbiologists. ASTs decrease the risk of using an antibiotic against bacteria exhibiting resistance to it, and the results are used in clinical settings to determine which antibiotic(s) to prescribe for various infections.