Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Cefoxitin

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Trade names  Mefoxin
MedlinePlus  a682737
Routes of administration  IV
AHFS/Drugs.com  Monograph
Pregnancy category  B
ATC code  J01DC01 (WHO)
Cefoxitin

Cefoxitin is a second-generation cephamycin antibiotic developed by Merck & Co., Inc., often grouped with the second−generation cephalosporins. It is sold under the brand name Mefoxin.

Contents

Microbiology

Cefoxitin acts by interfering with cell wall synthesis. Its activity spectrum includes a broad range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria including anaerobes. It is inactive in vitro to most strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and many strains of Enterobacter cloacae. Staphylococci resistant to methicillin/oxacillin should be considered resistant to cefoxitin.

Cefoxitin is considered to be a strong beta-lactamase inducer, as are certain other antibiotics (such as imipenem).

Spectrum of Bacterial Susceptibility

Cefoxitin has a broad spectrum of activity and has been used in the treatment of skin, bone, respiratory and urinary tract infections. Susceptible bacteria include some Staphylococci, Enterococci, Streptococci, and others. The following represents MIC susceptibility data for a few medically significant microorganisms.

  • Escherichia coli: 0.2 μg/ml – 64 μg/ml
  • Haemophilus influenzae: 0.5 μg/ml – 12.5 μg/ml
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae: 0.2 μg/ml – 1 μg/ml
  • References

    Cefoxitin Wikipedia