Definition
ChEBI: A third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with [(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)sulfanyl]methyl and (R)-2-{[(4-hydroxy-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido groups at positions 3 and 7, respectiv
ly, of the cephem skeleton. It has a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.
Antimicrobial activity
A semisynthetic parenteral cephalosporin. It exhibits a broad
range of activity, which includes Ps. aeruginosa, though the overall activity is rather modest. It is moderately
stable to most β-lactamases but less so than ceftazidime or
cefpirome.
In volunteers given 0.5 or 1 g by intravenous bolus, the mean
plasma concentration shortly after injection was around 150 or
300 mg/L, respectively. There was no accumulation when the
same doses were repeated every 12 h for 11 doses. It is highly
bound to plasma protein (c. 95%). The mean plasma half-life
is around 5 h. Less than one-quarter of the dose appears in the
urine over 24 h; the rest is excreted in bile and high concentrations
are found in feces. Renal impairment has little effect on
elimination in patients with normal liver function.
Diarrhea may be associated with marked suppression of
gut flora resulting from biliary excretion of the drug. The molecule
includes a C-3 methylthiotetrazole side chain and side
effects associated with that substituent are to be expected.
It is available in Japan.
