NOTE: Many strains of the above organisms that are multiply resistant to other antibiotics, e.g. penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides, are susceptible to cefotaxime sodium.

Cefotaxime sodium is active against some strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Anaerobes:

• Bacteroides species, including some strains of B. fragilis,
• Clostridium species (NOTE: Most strains of C. difficile are resistant.),
• Peptococcus species,
• Peptostreptococcus species, and
• Fusobacterium species (including F. nucleatum).
  

Cefotaxime sodium is highly stable in vitro to four of the five major classes of b-lactamases described by Richmond et al., including type IIIa (TEM) which is produced by many gram-negative bacteria. The drug is also stable to b-lactamase (penicillinase) produced by staphylococci. In addition, cefotaxime sodium shows high affinity for penicillin-binding proteins in the cell wall, including PBP: Ib and III.

Cefotaxime sodium also demonstrates in vitro activity against the following microorganisms but the clinical significance is unknown. Cefotaxime sodium exhibits in vitro minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8 mcg/mL or less against most (>/=90%) strains of the following microorganisms; however, the safety and effectiveness of cefotaxime sodium in treating clinical infections due to these microorganisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials:

Aerobes, Gram-negative:

Providencia spp.

Salmonella spp. (including Salmonella typhi )

Shigella spp.

Cefotaxime sodium is highly stable in vitro to four of the five major classes of 5-lactamases described by Richmond et al. 1 , including type IIIa (TEM) which is produced by many gram-negative bacteria. The drug is also stable to (beta)-lactamase (penicillinase) produced by staphylococci. In addition, cefotaxime sodium shows high affinity for penicillin-binding proteins in the cell wall, including PBP: Ib and III.

Cefotaxime sodium and aminoglycosides have been shown to be synergistic in vitro against some strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa but the clinical significance is unknown.

Susceptibility Tests

Dilution techniques:
Quantitative methods that are used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) provide reproducible estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. One such standardized procedure uses a standardized dilution method¹ (broth or agar) or equivalent with cefotaxime sodium powder. The MIC values obtained should be interpreted according to the following criteria:

When testing organismsa other than Haemophilus spp., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Streptococcus spp.
	MIC (mcg/mL)	Interpretation
	<8	Susceptible (S)
	16-32	Intermediate (I)
	>64	Resistant (R)
When testing Haemophilus spp.b
	Brand Name: Claforan Generic Name: Cefotaxime « Previous Clinical Pharmacology Next » Next: Claforan - Patient Information » « Previous: Claforan - Overdosage & Contraindications Bookmark this page: WebMD Resources Win the War Against Wrinkles Could It Be ADHD? Check Symptoms Are Your Painkillers Safe? 3D Mammogram Learn how new technology may change the way breast cancer is diagnosed and in turn, save more lives. See more WebMD Videos » Privacy Policy WebMD Daily Get breaking medical news. Bladder Control Problems? Have a Life Less Interrupted Take a Self-Assessment Survey Prepare to Talk with Your Doctor Understand the Benefits of Once-Daily Enablex® (darifenacin) for Overactive Bladder Symptoms Important Safety Information Prescribing Information Close ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder: · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency") · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence") · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency") IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENBLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENBALEX affects you. Claforan Drug Description Indications & Dosage Side Effects & Drug Interactions Warnings & Precautions Overdosage & Contraindications Clinical Pharmacology Patient Information Health Resources Menopause Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Osteoporosis Pregnancy Planning Drug News 2008 Election & Health Care on WebMD. Get Informed. Schizophrenia Has a New Shot Treatment Kid Antipsychotics Might Lead to Weight Gain 'Abuse-Proof' OxyContin Nixed by FDA View More » Search the Medical Dictionary for Health Definitions & Medical Abbreviations Updated & New News & Features Identify Your Drugs: Use the RxList Pill Identification Tool Add RxList Search to Your Website Google Subscribed Links & RxList RxList Home|Drugs & Medications A-Z List |Pill Identification Tool |Drug Medical Dictionary |Diseases & Conditions About RxList|Contact RxList|Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy|Sponsor Policy|Site Map WebMD®|MedScape®|eMedicineHealth®|MedicineNet® Copyright © 2008 by RxList Inc. RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.