Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Cefmenoxime is a semisynthetic beta-lactam cephalosporin antibiotic with activity similar to that of cefotaxime. Like other 'third-generation' cephalosporins it is active in vitro against most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, is a potent inhibitor of Enterobacteriaceae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), and is resistant to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases. Cefmenoxime has a high rate of clinical efficacy in many types of infection and is at least equal in clinical and bacteriological efficacy to several other cephalosporins in urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, postoperative infections and gonorrhoea. The bactericidal activity of cefmenoxime results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Cefmenoxime is stable in the presence of a variety of b-lactamases, including penicillinases and some cephalosporinases. Cefmenoxime is marketed in Japan under the brand name Bestron, indicated for the treatment of otitis externa, otitis media, and sinusitis. Cefmenoxime hydrochloride was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Dec 30, 1987. It was developed and marketed as Cefmax®, but it has being discontinued.   ^NCATS