Cefmenoxime. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use.

Cefmenoxime is an aminothiazolyl cephalosporin administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Like other 'third-generation' cephalosporins it is active in vitro against most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, is a potent inhibitor of Enterobacteriaceae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), and is resistant to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases. Cefmenoxime has a high rate of clinical efficacy in many types of infection and is at least equal in clinical and bacteriological efficacy to several other cephalosporins in urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, postoperative infections and gonorrhoea. Cefmenoxime, like latamoxef, cefoperazone and cefamandole, has an N-methyltetrazole side chain at the 3-position of the cephalosporin nucleus and thus possesses the potential for producing hypoprothrombinaemic bleeding and disulfiram-like reactions. However, these reactions have been reported very rarely and the antibacterial is generally well tolerated. It is likely that cefmenoxime will most closely resemble cefotaxime and ceftizoxime in therapeutic profile and usefulness.