Cefpodoxime proxetil is an oral
third generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The
drug has in vitro activity against many common Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens associated with common paediatric
infections, making the
drug a useful option for empirical
therapy. In randomised controlled trials conducted in children with acute
otitis media, oral
cefpodoxime proxetil 8 to 10 mg/kg/day (usually administered in 2 divided doses) for 5 to 10 days was at least as effective as standard regimens of
amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid,
cefixime,
cefuroxime axetil or
cefaclor as assessed by either clinical or bacteriological criteria.
Cefpodoxime 8 to 10 mg/kg/day (administered in 2 divided doses) for 5 to 10 days was at least as effective as standard 10-day regimens of
penicillin V in the treatment of children with
pharyngitis and/or
tonsillitis. Significant differences in favour of
cefpodoxime proxetil were demonstrated in terms of clinical (1 study) and bacteriological (2 studies) criteria. The clinical efficacy of 5 days of treatment with
cefpodoxime proxetil is similar to that of 10 days of treatment with
penicillin V. In children with lower
respiratory tract infections (primarily
pneumonia), clinical and bacteriological efficacy rates achieved with
cefpodoxime proxetil treatment were similar to those produced by
cefuroxime axetil or
amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in randomised controlled trials.
Cefpodoxime proxetil also demonstrated clinical efficacy in paediatric patients with skin and
soft tissue infections. In randomised studies that included both adults and children with a variety of
infections (e.g.
abscess,
atheroma, furuncle and
carbuncle, infected
wounds,
cellulitis),
cefpodoxime proxetil showed efficacy similar to that of
cefuroxime axetil or
cefaclor.
Cefpodoxime proxetil is well tolerated by paediatric patients, with adverse events (primarily gastrointestinal tract disturbances and skin rashes) that are consistent with those reported for other oral
cephalosporins.
CONCLUSION: