Chemical Properties
Cefotaxime Sodium is white, white or light yellow crystalline powder; odorless; insoluble in organic solvents but soluble in water. The 10% solution has a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. Dilute solution is colorless or yellowish while high-concentration solution is grayish yellow. Dark yellow or brown color indicates that the drug has been deteriorated. The aqueous solution can be stored at 5 ℃ for 1 week.
Originator
Eposelin,Fujisawa,Japan,1982
Definition
ChEBI: The sodium salt of ceftizoxime.
Manufacturing Process
Phosphorus oxychloride (2.0 g) was added at one time at 5°C to 10°C to a
suspension of 2-methoxyimino-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetic acid (syn
isomer) (2 g) in dry ethyl acetate (20 ml). After stirring for 20 minutes at 7°C
to 10°C, bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (0.4 g) was added thereto at the same
temperature. After stirring for 10 minutes at 7°C to 10°C, phosphorus
oxychloride (2.0 g) was dropwise added thereto at the same temperature. The
resulting mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at 7°C to 10°C, and dry
dimethylformamide (0.8 g) was dropwise added thereto at the same
temperature. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 7°C to 10°C to give a
clear solution. On the other hand, trimethylsilylacetamide (7.35 g) was added
to a suspension of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (2.45 g) in dry ethyl acetate
(8 ml), after which the mixture was stirred at 40°C to give a clear solution.
To this solution was added at one time the above-obtained ethyl acetate
solution at -15°C, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour at -10°C to
-15°C. The reaction mixture was cooled to -30°C, and water (80 ml) was
added thereto. The aqueous layer was separated, adjusted to pH 4.5 with
sodium bicarbonate and subjected to column chromatography on Diaion HP-20
resin (Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Ltd.) using 25% aqueous solution of
isopropyl alcohol as an eluent. The eluate was lyophilized to give 7-[2-
methoxyimino-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)acetamido]cephalosporanic acid
(syn isomer) (1.8 g), MP 227°C (decomp.).
Brand name
Cefizox (Astellas).
Therapeutic Function
Antibacterial
Clinical Use
Ceftizoxime (Cefizox) is a third-generation cephalosporinthat was introduced in 1984. This β-lactamase–resistant agentexhibits excellent activity against the Enterobacteriaceae,especially E. coli, K. pneumoniae, E. cloacae, Enterobacteraerogenes, indole-positive and indole-negative Proteus spp.,and S. marcescens. Ceftizoxime is claimed to be more activethan cefoxitin against B. fragilis. It is also very active againstGram-positive bacteria. Its activity against P. aeruginosa issomewhat variable and lower than that of either cefotaxime orcefoperazone.
Ceftizoxime is not metabolized in vivo. It is excretedlargely unchanged in the urine. Adequate levels of the drugare achieved in the cerebrospinal fluid for the treatment ofGram-negative or Gram-positive bacterial meningitis. It mustbe administered on a thrice-daily dosing schedule because ofits relatively short half-life. Ceftizoxime sodium is very stablein the dry state. Solutions maintain potency for up to 24hours at room temperature and 10 days when refrigerated.
