The role of cefotaxime in the treatment of surgical infections

Study on the compatibility of cefotaxime with tinidazole in glucose injection

An efficient HPLC method for the compatibility study of cefotaxime with tinidazole in glucose injection is described, which has been developed for the simultaneous determination of cefotaxime and tinidazole in glucose injection. The appearance and pH value of the mixed solution were investigated and the concentrations of cefotaxime and tinidazole were determined by RP-HPLC with an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C8 column, gradient elution and dual wavelength detection on diode-array-detector (DAD) at room temperature (20 degrees C) within 24 h. It was found that the resulting appearance and pH value of the mixed solution showed slight changes, on the other hand, the quantity of cefotaxime decreased significantly. The results show that the mixed solution of cefotaxime with tinidazole in glucose injection must be used within 8 h in clinical due to the possible degradation of cefotaxime in tinidazole glucose injection. This study provides a convenient method for rational use of compatible drugs in clinical practice.

Cefotaxime. A reappraisal of its antibacterial activity and pharmacokinetic properties, and a review of its therapeutic efficacy when administered twice daily for the treatment of mild to moderate infections

Cefotaxime is well established as an effective and well tolerated antibacterial drug for 3 times daily parenteral treatment of a variety of moderate to severe infections in hospitalised patients. Its frequency of administration has recently been reassessed with a 12-hourly regimen. Comparative studies in hospitalised patients with nosocomial or community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, demonstrate the similar clinical and bacteriological efficacy of twice daily cefotaxime 1 or 2 g and the same daily dose of ceftriaxone, usually administered once daily. Cefotaxime 2 g twice daily was also similar in efficacy to ceftriaxone 2 g once daily. Retrospective and post-marketing studies also reveal the similar efficacy of cefotaxime administered twice and 3 times daily, and pharmacoeconomic studies suggest that total direct costs of treatment with cefotaxime compared is similar to that with other third generation cephalosporins in currently used dosage regimens. When administered twice daily, cefotaxime is, thus, an effective antibacterial agent for the treatment of hospitalised patients outside the intensive care unit with a variety of mild to moderate non-CNS infections caused by susceptible organisms. When appropriately administered twice daily there is potential to lower the cost of antibacterial treatment without compromising efficacy.