What is Cefotaxime disodium?
Cefotaxime disodium, also known as Claforan, is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death. Cefotaxime disodium is effective against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including those that are resistant to other antibiotics. The drug is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly and is commonly used to treat severe infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia.
What is Cefotaxime disodium used for?
Cefotaxime disodium is an injectable antibiotic that belongs to the third-generation cephalosporin class of medications. It is primarily used in the treatment of various bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
Cefotaxime disodium exerts its antibacterial effects by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in susceptible bacteria, ultimately leading to their death. The drug’s spectrum of activity includes a wide range of pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus species. It is also effective against certain Gram-positive organisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cefotaxime disodium may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antibiotics to treat complicated urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections, meningitis, and septicemia.
Cefotaxime disodium is usually administered intravenously every 6-8 hours for severe bacterial infections. The drug’s pharmacokinetics are characterized by moderate oral bioavailability (about 50%) but poor intestinal absorption. In adults, the elimination half-life of cefotaxime disodium ranges from 1 to 2 hours, which necessitates frequent dosing and potentially affects its therapeutic efficacy. The primary side effects associated with cefotaxime disodium therapy are gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rashes, and transient changes in laboratory values, particularly elevations in liver enzymes.
In the context of pregnancy, lactation, or renal impairment, adjustments to the dosage and monitoring for adverse reactions may be necessary when using cefotaxime disodium. The drug has not been formally studied in pregnant women or newborns, but animal studies do not suggest any notable teratogenicity risks. However, caution should still be exercised in such situations. It is also essential to note that patients receiving concomitant probenecid treatment may require an increased dosage of cefotaxime disodium due to its decreased renal clearance.
The therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of cefotaxime disodium have been extensively studied, particularly through clinical trials involving various patient populations.
Cefotaxime disodium side effects
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Hives
- Injection site reaction
- Nausea
- Pseudomembranous colitis
- Rash
- Taste disturbance
- Urticaria
- Vaginal moniliasis
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