Antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of cefoxitin in patients with abdominal sepsis and other infections

Abstract

Cefoxitin was more active than other cephalosporins against β-lactamase-producing enterobacteria. Pharmacokinetic studies showed the beta half-life ranged from 0.86 h (normal renal function) to 12.94 h (severely impaired renal function). Over 90% of the dose was recovered in urine when renal function was normal. Eighteen patients were treated with cefoxitin–14 had abdominal sepsis and 4 had miscellaneous infections. Fifteen patients responded favourably. Two treatment failures were due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in patients who had been hospitalised for over 2 months. Side effects attributable to cefoxitin were minimal.