Name | Cefoxitin |
Classes |
Antiinfective Agent Antibiotic Cephalosporine |
Diseases |
Bronchitis Gonorrhea Infectious Disease Otitis Pneumonia Sinusitis Tonsillitis Urethritis |
Cefoxitin
Cefoxitin is a 2nd generation cephalosporin that kills bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, effective in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Cefoxitin is indicated for the following infections-
- Lower respiratory tract infections- Bacterial pneumonia
- Urinary tract infections
- Intra-abdominal infections
- Septicemia
- Bone and joint infections
- Skin and skin structure infections
Cefoxitin is available as intravenous infusion-
- Adult: 1-2 g, 6-8 hourly, up to 12 g daily given in 4-6 divided doses in severe infections. Doses are given by slow injection over 3-5 min or, by intermittent or continuous infusion.
- Child: ≥3 months, 80-160 mg/kg daily in 4-6 equally divided doses. Max: 12 g daily.
The commonly associated side effects include-
- Phlebitis
- Pain at injection site
- Angioedema
- Jaundice
- Renal problems
- Bone marrow depression.
- Cefoxitin can cause mild to fatal hypersensitivity reactions.
- Nearly all antibacterial drugs, including cefoxitin, have been linked to Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD), which can range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis.
Contraindication
Cefoxitin is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any beta lactam antibiotics, such as-