Pharmacology for Dentistry

Beta Lactam Antibiotics 325

CEFTRIAXONE

It is a broad spectrum cephalosporin
having a long half life and administered
once daily and indicated in meningitis,
septicaemia, typhoid, urinary tract
infections, prophylaxis in surgical infections,
pneumonia, STD, bacteremia and pelvic
inflammatory disease.

CEFTIZOXIME

It is a parenteral, semisynthetic third
generation cephalosporin. It is not
metabolised and approximately 90 percent
of drug is excreted by the kidney in
unchanged form. It is indicated in lower
respiratory tract, skin and soft tissue
infection, septicaemia, urinary tract infection
and gonorrhoea.

CEFIXIME

Cefixime is an orally active third-
generation cephalosporin antibiotic which
has marked in-vitro bactericidal activity
against a wide variety of gram positive and
negative organisms. It is indicated for the
treatment of urinary tract, infection,
respiratory tract infection and biliary tract
infection etc.

Cefixime given orally is about 40 to 50
percent absorbed whether administered
with or without food. However, time to
maximum absorption is increased approxi-
mately 0.8 hours when administered with
food. It is excreted unchanged in the urine
in 24 hours.

Adverse effects include diarrhoea,

nausea, vomiting, skin rash, urticaria, drug

fever, pruritus, dizziness, hypersensitivity

reactions, hematological disorders.

It is indicated in respiratory tract

infections, gonorrhoea, otitis media, urinary

tract infection and typhoid fever.

CEFOPERAZONE

It is broad spectrum cephalosporin with

anti-pseudomonal activity. It is more

susceptible to β-lactamases and is primarily

excreted in bile. Used in severe susceptible

infections of respiratory, urinary, GIT, skin

and soft tissues, meningitis, septicaemia,

gonorrhoea, bacteremia and peritonitis.

Cefoperazone is also used in combina-

tion with sulbactam.

FOURTH GENERATION CEPHALOSPORINS

CEFPIROME

It is fourth generation cephalosporin

used mainly in serious infections including

septicaemia and respiratory tract infections

and infections acquired from hospitals. It is

resistant to many β-lactamases.

CEFEPIME

Its antibacterial spectrum is similar to

that of third generation cephalosporins. It

is highly resistant to β-lactamases.

It is indicated in bacteremia, septicae-

mia, febrile neutropenia and hospital ac-

quired infections.