Ceftibuten: minimal inhibitory concentrations, postantibiotic effect and beta-lactamase stability--a rationale for dosing programs.

Ceftibuten, a new orally absorbed cephalosporin with a novel side chain, has broad in vitro activity against most of the important respiratory pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae and both beta-lactamase-negative and beta-lactamase-positive Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis. Furthermore it has high activity against Enterobacteriaceae, which contain classic TEM-1 beta-lactamases and those containing the new extended spectrum beta-lactamases, which hydrolyze parenteral third generation cephalosporins. Studies have shown that ceftibuten has a postantibiotic effect comparable to that of other beta-lactams against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. Blood levels achieved after a single 400-mg dose given once daily or 9 mg/kg/day taken once daily for children yield blood levels and postantibiotic inhibition for the majority of a dosing period. The in vitro and pharmacokinetic data can be correlated to provide reasonable dosing programs for the new oral cephalosporins.