The drug cefotiam is an active substance that belongs to the category of cephalosporins. Cefotiam is an antibiotic and primarily shows activity against gram-positive aerobic germs. However, the drug is also effective against some gram-negative bacteria. For this reason, the drug is suitable for the treatment of numerous infections caused by bacteria.
What is cefotiam?
Cefotiam is a second-generation antibiotic of cephalosporins. The drug is administered by parenteral route in the majority of cases. The antibiotic is characterized by a relatively broad spectrum of activity and is primarily effective against Gram-positive and specific Gram-negative pathogens. In addition, the active ingredient cefotiam is a so-called beta-lactamate. These substances are characterized by the fact that they inhibit the synthesis of cell walls in bacteria. As a result, the bacteria are no longer able to divide and multiply undisturbed. Instead, the bacterial cells die under the influence of cefotiam. The drug cefotiam was originally launched on the Japanese market under the trade name Pansporin in 1981. It was also available as a generic drug until 1993.
Pharmacologic action
Cefotiam is characterized by a specific mechanism of action and for this reason is suitable for the therapy of certain infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Basically, the drug’s mode of action is based on the fact that cefotiam impairs and inhibits the formation of bacterial cell walls. In the process, the germs are firmly bound to so-called transpeptidases. The advantage of this process is that resistance to the active substance only forms in very rare cases. The drug cefotiam, for example, is effective against Gram-positive staphylococci and streptococci. On the other hand, certain types of Gram-negative bacteria show resistance to the beta-lactamate. The drug is particularly effective against numerous types of enterobacteria, such as Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and certain types of Proteus. Cefotiam is also effective against hemophilus influenzae, meningococci, gonococci, as well as anaerobes and shigella. In the context of the clinical use of cefotiam, observations indicate that the active ingredient accumulates increasingly in certain types of tissue. These include, for example, the tissues of the kidneys, heart, prostate, ears and genital area. In addition, the drug accumulates in certain body fluids and secretions.
Medical use and application
Due to its special mode of action and broad spectrum of activity, the active ingredient cefotiam is suitable for the treatment of numerous infectious diseases caused by certain bacteria. It is used in particular for the treatment of infections affecting the upper and lower respiratory tract. These include, for example, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, otitis media, and inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis). In addition, the drug cefotiam is also suitable for the treatment of pyelonephritis, infections of the urinary tract and inflammation of the bladder. The drug is primarily administered orally in the form of solid tablets. It is also possible to administer the active substance cefotiam intravenously. Appropriate injection solutions are available for this purpose.
Risks and side effects
During or immediately after therapy with cefotiam, a number of undesirable side effects and other complaints caused by the active substance are possible. These side effects vary in severity and composition depending on the individual case. In principle, the potential side effects occur with varying frequencies. In some cases, for example, rashes on the skin, swelling of the joints or so-called Quincke’s edema occur after taking cefotiam. In addition, the concentrations of creatinine and urea sometimes increase, which can be detected in blood or urine tests. Sometimes the affected patients complain of vomiting and nausea as well as pain in the abdominal area while taking the antibiotic. Complaints such as diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukocytopenia or granulocytopenia are also possible.In some cases, symptoms similar to those of vitamin B12 deficiency appear while taking the drug. Some patients have an allergic reaction to the active substance, which in the worst case leads to anaphylactic shock. For this reason, the drug must not be prescribed under any circumstances if intolerances to a drug from the same group of active ingredients are known. Serious but rare complications also include acute kidney failure and hepatitis. In addition, stomatitis and jaundice sometimes develop as a result of taking the drug. During treatment with cefotiam, it should be noted that the drug interacts with some other agents. Thus, the antibiotic may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, probenecid, chloramphenicol and warfarin. In principle, the drug should not be taken if there is a known allergy to cefotiam or other cephalosporins. Therapy with cefotiam should also be avoided in cases of intolerance to penicillins as well as beta-lactam antibiotics. Cefotiam should also not be taken during pregnancy or lactation.
