Cephaloglycin was synthesized by Lilly Research Laboratories in 1966 as the first member of the orally active cephalosporin C class of antibiotics. Its activity against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus is one-fourth to one-half that of cephaloridin, a parenteral antibiotic, but against gram-negative bacteria it is almost the equal of cephaloridin. Cephaloglycin is readily absorbed by oral administration but is partially metabolized in vivo into deacetylcephaloglycin, which shows one-tenth to one-half as much activity. This antibiotic has been used in therapy of urinary tract infections and pyoderma, but it is being replaced by the newer orally active cephalosporins. Cephaloglycin often causes diarrhea, especially in children, and pediatric use is not allowed.
