Comparative pharmacokinetics of the new oral cephalosporins.

The comparative pharmacokinetics of the new oral cephalosporins (ester and nonester types), together with that of the first generation carbacephem, loracarbef, are considered in healthy volunteers. Also in this review, pharmacokinetic and microbiological data are combined in order to predict the possible clinical efficacy of this group of agents. Despite apparent similarities in the structure of these agents, single dose studies have revealed marked differences in the pharmacokinetics of the oral cephalosporins. Multiple dose studies showed no evidence of accumulation with these agents. In the elderly, only minor changes in the pharmacokinetics of the oral agents were observed, and were insufficient to warrant dosage adjustment. Unlike that of the nonester compounds, the bioavailability of the ester cephalosporins is increased when they are administered after food. Variable effects are observed when the ester agents are coadministered with antacids or H2-antagonists; while the absorption of cefetamet pivoxil was unaffected by coadministered antacids or H2-antagonists, the absorption of cefpodoxime proxetil was reduced.