Carbacephem

Carbacephem is a class of antibiotics that are chemically similar to the cephalosporins, but are differentiated by the replacement of the sulfur atom in the dihydrothiazine ring of the cephalosporin nucleus with a carbon atom (hence the prefix "carba-"). The only carbacephem currently available for use is loracarbef, which is marketed under the trade name Lorabid.

History

Carbacephems were first discovered in the 1970s, and were developed as a new class of antibiotics to combat resistant strains of bacteria. The first and only carbacephems to be approved for use in humans is loracarbef, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1991.

Mechanism of Action

Like cephalosporins, carbacephems work by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell death. They are bactericidal, meaning they kill bacteria rather than simply inhibiting their growth.

Clinical Use

Carbacephems are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. They are also used in the treatment of otitis media, a common ear infection in children.

Side Effects

Common side effects of carbacephems include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash. In rare cases, they can cause serious allergic reactions.

See Also

• Cephalosporin
• Antibiotic resistance
• Bacterial infection

Carbacephem Resources
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