cefetamet

Cefetamet is a semisynthetic, third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. It is typically administered as the oral prodrug cefetamet pivoxil, which is hydrolyzed in the body to release active cefetamet. The drug acts by binding to and inactivating penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of bacterial cell walls, thereby inhibiting the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis essential for bacterial cell wall integrity. This leads to cell lysis and death of susceptible bacteria. Cefetamet demonstrates high activity against major respiratory pathogens such as *Streptococcus pneumoniae* (except penicillin-resistant strains), *Haemophilus influenzae*, *Moraxella catarrhalis*, group A beta-haemolytic streptococci, *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, and various Enterobacteriaceae; however, it has poor activity against staphylococci and *Pseudomonas* species. Clinically, it is used for treating infections including otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis, lower respiratory tract infections (such as pneumonia and tracheobronchitis), urinary tract infections (including complicated cases), acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and gonococcal urethritis.

Other names

cefetamet monosodiumcefetamet sodium salt