| Item |
Information |
|
Drug Groups
|
approved |
|
Description
|
Cefixime, an antibiotic, is a third-generation cephalosporin like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. Cefixime is highly stable in the presence of beta-lactamase enzymes. As a result, many organisms resistant to penicillins and some cephalosporins due to the presence of beta-lactamases, may be susceptible to cefixime. The antibacterial effect of cefixime results from inhibition of mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. |
| Indication |
For use in the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: (1) uncomplicated urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis, (2) otitis media caused by Haemophilus influenzae (beta-lactamase positive and negative strains), Moraxella catarrhalis (most of which are beta-lactamase positive), and S. pyogenes, (3) pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes, (4) acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (beta-lactamase positive and negative strains), and (5) uncomplicated gonorrhea (cervical/urethral) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (penicillinase- and non-penicillinase-producing strains). |
| Pharmacology |
Cefixime, an antibiotic, is a third-generation cephalosporin like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. Cefixime is highly stable in the presence of beta-lactamase enzymes. As a result, many organisms resistant to penicillins and some cephalosporins due to the presence of beta-lactamases, may be susceptible to cefixime. The antibacterial effect of cefixime results from inhibition of mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. |
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose include blood in the urine, diarrhea, nausea, upper abdominal pain, and vomiting. |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria |
|
| Biotransformation |
Hepatic. Approximately 50% of the absorbed dose is excreted unchanged in the urine in 24 hours. |
| Absorption |
About 40%-50% absorbed orally whether administered with or without food, however, time to maximal absorption is increased approximately 0.8 hours when administered with food. |
| Half Life |
3-4 hours (may range up to 9 hours). In severe renal impairment (5 to 20 mL/min creatinine clearance), the half-life increased to an average of 11.5 hours. |
| Protein Binding |
65% (concentration independent) |
| References |
| • |
McMillan A, Young H: The treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhoea with a single oral dose of cefixime. Int J STD AIDS. 2007 Apr;18(4):253-4.
[Pubmed]
|
| • |
Adam D, Hostalek U, Troster K: 5-day cefixime therapy for bacterial pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis: comparison with 10-day penicillin V therapy. Cefixime Study Group. Infection. 1995;23 Suppl 2:S83-6.
[Pubmed]
|
|
| External Links |
|