CEFODIZIME - A REVIEW OF ITS ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY, PHARMACOKINETIC PROPERTIES AND THERAPEUTIC USE

Cefodizime is a third generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Administered intravenously or intramuscularly, cefodizime 1 to 4g daily for an average of 7 to 10 days produced clinical cure in 80 to 100% of patients (adults, elderly or children) with upper or lower respiratory tract infections or urinary tract infections, and in comparative trials cefodizime was as effective as other third generation cephalosporins. A single dose of cefodizime 1 or 2g is also useful in treating lower urinary tract infections, particularly uncomplicated infections, with a rate of clinical success of 72 to 88%. Urogenital gonorrhoea whether caused by beta-lactamase producing or non-beta-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is very effectively treated by single dose therapy with intramuscular cefodizime 0.25 to 1 g (virtually 100% cured). Preliminary data from a small number of patients indicate that cefodizime may also be useful in the treatment of otitis media, sinusitis and gynaecological infections, and for the prophylaxis or treatment of surgical infections. The clinical efficacy of cefodizime in comparison with other third generation cephalosporins is superior to that predicted from in vitro results. This superior activity of cefodizime may be related to the relatively long elimination half-life of the drug or its ability to modify some functions of the immune system - a potentially important finding awaiting further investigation. Cefodizime is well tolerated and has a tolerability profile similar to other members of its class with systemic adverse events being primarily gastrointestinal or dermatological. Thus, limited comparative studies indicate cefodizime has the potential to become a useful alternative to current antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of a variety of infections. Cefodizime may be more convenient to administer than some other agents of its class as it may be given once or twice daily. While there are no trials comparing cefodizime to other third generation cephalosporins in immunosuppressed populations, preliminary information indicates cefodizime may be useful in this group.