What is the use of Cefotaxime (Cephalosporin antibiotic)?

From the Guidelines

Cefotaxime is the recommended empirical antibiotic therapy for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis, due to its high ascitic fluid concentrations and effectiveness in covering most causative organisms 1. The use of cefotaxime in SBP has been extensively investigated, with studies showing infection resolution rates of 77-98% 1. A dose of 4 g/day is as effective as a dose of 8 g/day, and a 5-day therapy is as effective as a 10-day treatment 1. Key points to consider when using cefotaxime for SBP include:

• Cefotaxime should be initiated immediately after diagnosis, without waiting for ascitic fluid culture results 1
• Potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, should be avoided 1
• Alternative antibiotics, such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin, may be effective, but have limitations, such as higher cost or limited comparative data 1
• Monitoring for treatment failure, defined as a failure of ascitic fluid neutrophil count to decrease to less than 25% of the pre-treatment value after 2 days, is crucial 1

From the FDA Drug Label

Cefotaxime for Injection, USP has been used successfully in treating patients with infections caused by susceptible organisms. Specimens for bacteriologic culture should be obtained prior to therapy in order to isolate and identify causative organisms and to determine their susceptibilities to cefotaxime In certain cases of confirmed or suspected gram-positive or gram-negative sepsis or in patients with other serious infections in which the causative organism has not been identified, Cefotaxime for Injection, USP may be used concomitantly with an aminoglycoside The administration of Cefotaxime for Injection, USP preoperatively reduces the incidence of certain infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures (e.g., abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract surgery) that may be classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated.

The use of Cefotaxime (Cephalosporin antibiotic) is for the treatment of various infections, including:

• Meningitis and ventriculitis caused by susceptible organisms such as Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli.
• Sepsis or serious infections where the causative organism has not been identified.
• Prevention of infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures, such as abdominal or vaginal hysterectomy, gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract surgery. Cefotaxime should be used to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria 2.

From the Research

Uses of Cefotaxime

• Cefotaxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including those of the urinary tract, peritoneum, biliary tract, lung, and skin and soft tissues 3, 4, 5.
• It is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae 5.
• Cefotaxime has been used to treat infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia, particularly in pediatric patients and nonimmunocompromised adults 4, 5.
• It is also used to treat uncomplicated gonorrhoea caused by penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae 5.

Dosage and Administration

• The optimal dosage of cefotaxime varies depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's immune status 6.
• Low doses of 1-2 g every 12 hours have been shown to be effective for mild to moderately severe infections, including community-acquired pneumonia 3, 4.
• Higher doses may be necessary for more severe infections, such as meningitis and endocarditis, or for infections caused by bacteria with moderate susceptibility to cefotaxime 6.
• Cefotaxime can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly, with a unitary dose of 1g in adult patients and a 6- or 8-hour interval between doses 6.

Clinical Efficacy

• Cefotaxime has been shown to be effective in treating a range of infections, with cure rates ranging from 75% to 100% depending on the type of infection and the criteria of efficacy 3, 4, 7.
• It has been used in combination with other antimicrobial agents, such as aminoglycosides, for the treatment of patients with infections caused by bacteria able to become resistant 6, 7.
• Cefotaxime has been well-tolerated, with no serious toxicity observed in clinical studies 7.