Cefodizime is a
third generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Administered intravenously or intramuscularly,
cefodizime 1 to 4 g daily for an average of 7 to 10 days produced clinical cure in 80 to 100% of patients (adults, elderly or children) with upper or lower
respiratory tract infections or
urinary tract infections, and in comparative trials
cefodizime was as effective as other
third generation cephalosporins. A single dose of
cefodizime 1 or 2 g is also useful in treating lower
urinary tract infections, particularly uncomplicated
infections, with a rate of clinical success of 72 to 88%. Urogenital gonorrhoea, whether caused by
beta-lactamase producing or non-
beta-lactamase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is very effectively treated by single dose
therapy with intramuscular
cefodizime 0.25 to 1 g (virtually 100% cured). Preliminary data from a small number of patients indicate that
cefodizime may also be useful in the treatment of
otitis media,
sinusitis and gynaecological
infections, and for the prophylaxis or treatment of surgical
infections. The clinical efficacy of
cefodizime in comparison with other
third generation cephalosporins is superior to that predicted from in vitro results. This superior activity of
cefodizime may be related to the relatively long elimination half-life of the
drug or its ability to modify some functions of the immune system--a potentially important finding awaiting further investigation.
Cefodizime is well tolerated and has a tolerability profile similar to other members of its class with systemic adverse events being primarily gastrointestinal or dermatological. Thus, limited comparative studies indicate
cefodizime has the potential to become a useful alternative to current antimicrobial
therapy for the treatment of a variety of
infections.
Cefodizime may be more convenient to administer than some other agents of its class as it may be given once or twice daily. While there are no trials comparing
cefodizime to other
third generation cephalosporins in immunosuppressed populations, preliminary information indicates
cefodizime may be useful in this group.