Codoxime

Codoxime

Codoxime is a prodrug in the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. It is inactive in its original form and is metabolized in the body to its active form, desacetyl cefotaxime.

Pharmacology

Codoxime is a third-generation cephalosporin, a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics that are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. As a prodrug, codoxime itself has no antibiotic activity. Instead, it is converted in the body to desacetyl cefotaxime, which is the active antibiotic.

The conversion of codoxime to desacetyl cefotaxime occurs in the liver, primarily through the action of esterase enzymes. Once activated, desacetyl cefotaxime works by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell death.

Clinical Use

Codoxime is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including those caused by Streptococcus species, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species. It is also effective against some gram-negative bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Because of its broad-spectrum activity, codoxime is often used empirically, before the exact cause of an infection is known. However, like all antibiotics, it should be used judiciously to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

Side Effects

As with all antibiotics, codoxime can cause side effects. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less commonly, codoxime can cause allergic reactions, including rash, hives, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis.

See Also

• Cephalosporin
• Prodrug
• Antibiotic resistance