Pharmacokinetics of new oral cephalosporins, including a new carbacephem.

This review analyzes the pharmacokinetics of new oral cephalosporins, including esters, non-esters, and the carbacephem loracarbef, in healthy volunteers, as described in the literature and evaluated in several studies of our own. Single-dose studies have demonstrated considerable pharmacokinetic differences among these compounds. Cefixime, cefpodoxime proxetil, and cefetamet pivoxil are characterized by a low peak concentration and a prolonged half-life, while the other new agents have higher peak levels and shorter half-lives. Except for cefixime, the new oral cephalosporins are eliminated mainly by the kidneys. Pharmacokinetic studies in the elderly and in children indicate that the bioavailability of these agents is not influenced by age. Food increases the bioavailability of the ester cephalosporins but does not affect the absorption kinetics of the other new drugs.