Name:Cefotaxime sodium

Synonyms:Claforan; CTX; [6R-[6alpha,7beta(z)]]-3-[(Acetyloxy)methyl]-[[(2-amine-4-thiazolyl)(methoxyimino)acetyl]amino]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4,2,0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid monosodium salt

Molecular Structure:

Molecular Formula:C₁₆H₁₆N₅NaO₇S₂

Molecular Weight:477.44

Cefotaxime (INN) is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Like other third-generation cephalosporins, it has broad spectrum activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In most cases, it is considered to be equivalent to ceftriaxone in terms of safety and efficacy. Cefotaxime sodium is marketed under various trade names including Claforan

Cefotaxime is used for infections of the respiratory tract, skin, bornes, joints, urogenital system, meningitis, and septicemia. It generally has good coverage against most Gram-negative bacteria, with the notable exception of Pseudomonas. It is also effective against most Gram-positive cocci except for Enterococcus. It is active against rpenicrillin-resistant strains of Strerprtococcus pneumroniae. It has modest activity against the anaerobic Bacteroides fragilis.

The syn-configuration of the methoxyimino moiety confers stability to ¦Â-lactamase enzymes produced by many Gram-negative bacteria. Such stability to ¦Â-lactamases increases the activity of cefotaxime against otherwise resistant Gram-negative organisms.