The active ingredient Cefizim is a semisynthetic antibiotic with a relatively broad spectrum of activity. The antibiotic belongs to the category of so-called beta-lactam antibiotics. It is also a third-generation cephalosporin. Cefizime is usually administered by the peroral route.
What is cefizime?
In pharmaceutical use, cefizime is used in the form of cefixime trihydrate. In this process, it is further processed into finished drug products that are available on the market. Basically, Cefizime can be purchased in the form of film-coated tablets, tablets, drinkable tablets, as granules as well as dry juice. Cefizime in the form of granules is usually used to make a suspension.
Pharmacological action
In principle, many germs exhibit resistance to penicillins as well as numerous cephalosporins. Some of these bacteria are sensitive to cefizime because this drug is relatively stable in the presence of so-called beta-lactamase enzymes. The mechanism of action of the drug Cefizim is primarily based on the fact that the drug inhibits the formation of cell walls in the sensitive bacteria. For this reason, the active ingredient prevents the pathogens from multiplying undisturbed. This is because cefizime causes the growing cells of the bacteria to divide incorrectly. As a result, the cell walls, which are composed of the substance murein, burst and the bacteria die. During therapy with cefizime, care must be taken to ensure that the so-called dose-response relationship is strong. For this reason, the drug Cefizim has a relatively large spectrum of action. Therefore, overdoses are quickly possible by consuming large amounts of cefizime. Typical signs of such an overdose include bloody urine, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain in the upper abdomen. In principle, the absorption of the active substance cefizime is not affected by meals. The half-life of the drug is usually between three to four hours. In some cases, however, the half-life is up to nine hours. In people suffering from pronounced kidney dysfunction, the half-life may even increase to 11.5 hours. In principle, the substance cefizime is metabolized in the liver. However, almost half of the absorbed amount of active substance is excreted in the urine within one day. The drug Cefizim has a bactericidal or bacteria-killing effect against Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. For example, Cefizim is effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. In addition, cefizime is effective against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Pasteurella multocida. In contrast, staphylococci such as Staphylococcus aureus have resistance to cefizime.
Medical use and application
The drug cefizime is suitable for the treatment of numerous chronic and acute infectious diseases caused by bacteria. These primarily include infections caused by streptococci. For example, the active ingredient Cefizim is used for infectious diseases affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract. The drug Cefizim is also effective in pneumonia and inflammation of the throat. In addition, the active ingredient can be used for infections of the ear, nose, and throat, for example, for inflammations of the middle ear, throat, tonsils, and paranasal sinuses. Cefizime is also sometimes administered to treat the common cold. In addition, cefizime is also effective for skin infections, inflammation of the bile ducts, and various sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea. Cefizime is also effective for kidney infections and inflammation of the urinary tract.
Risks and side effects
Various undesirable side effects and symptoms are possible in the course of therapy with the active substance cefizime. However, these do not occur to the same extent in every patient, but vary depending on the individual case. Some people experience no side effects at all during treatment with the active ingredient Cefizim. Other patients, on the other hand, suffer such severe side effects that the therapy has to be discontinued.In principle, the drug must not be used if significant hypersensitivity reactions to the drug or other beta-lactam antibiotics have already occurred. In addition, the drug is not suitable for the treatment of premature infants and infants in the first month of life. Also, in the case of an existing allergy to penicillins, cross-allergy may occur during therapy with cefizime. Since Cefizim has no teratogenic effect, use during breastfeeding and pregnancy is possible after thorough examination by a specialist. Common side effects include complaints of the digestive tract, for example diarrhea. Far less frequent are hypersensitivity reactions, which in the worst case can lead to anaphylactic shock. Very rarely, changes in the blood count occur during therapy with the active substance Cefizim. For example, the number of white blood cells decreases (leukopenia). In addition, blood clotting disorders, inflammation of the liver, changes in the skin and extreme diarrhea are possible. In principle, a doctor should be consulted immediately in the event of side effects and other complaints that occur during or immediately after therapy with Cefizim. Discontinuation of the antibiotic may be necessary.
