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Drug Guide
 
 

Cefotaxime

 
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    Cefotaxime

  • Mechanism of Action

  • A beta lactam antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.
  • Pharmacology

  • Crosses the blood brain barrier - useful against meningitis.
  • Microbiology

  • More active against gram negative bacteria (Haemophilus, Enterobacteriaciae), less active against gram positive bacteria and inactive against MRSA.

Clinical Use

  • Indications
  • Upper / lower respiratory tract infections
  • Skin infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Adverse Effects
  • Very few compared to penicillins
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea
  • Pseudomembranous colitis (C difficile)
  • Thrombocytopaenia / leukopaenia
  • Nephrotoxicity
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