CEFTAFAIR-XP 1000 DRY POWDER FOR INJECTION

Indications

• Bacterial infections
• Susceptible infections due to sensitive Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Hospital-acquired pneumonia
• Intra-abdominal infections
• Complicated urinary tract infections
• Severe diabetic foot infections
• Prophylaxis of infection from human and animal bites

Dosage

Adults: 1–2 g once daily, or 2 g every 8 hours for severe infections or hospital-acquired pneumonia.

Mechanism of action

Ceftriaxone works by inhibiting mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. Its beta-lactam structure binds to carboxypeptidases, endopeptidases, and transpeptidases located in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, which are crucial for cell wall synthesis and division. This binding leads to enzyme inactivity, resulting in the formation of defective cell walls and ultimately bacterial cell death.

Pharmacodynamics

Ceftriaxone is a beta-lactam antibiotic with bactericidal properties, primarily affecting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It exhibits activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. The drug is stable against hydrolysis by many beta-lactamases, which enhances its effectiveness against resistant bacterial strains. However, it can still be subject to resistance mechanisms such as beta-lactamase production and alterations in penicillin-binding proteins.

Pharmacokinetics

Ceftriaxone has a long half-life, allowing for once-daily dosing in many cases. It is widely distributed in body tissues and fluids, including the central nervous system, making it effective for treating infections such as meningitis. The drug is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, with a portion excreted in the bile. Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with renal impairment.

Contra-indications

• Hypersensitivity to ceftriaxone or any of its ingredients
• History of severe allergic reactions to penicillins or other beta-lactam antibiotics
• Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia
• Concurrent use with calcium-containing solutions in neonates

Adverse effects

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Thrombocytosis
• Thrombophlebitis at the injection site
• Antibiotic-associated colitis
• Acute kidney injury
• Jaundice
• Biliary sludge
• Neurotoxicity (rare, may include seizures)

Interactions

• Calcium-containing solutions (risk of precipitation)
• Probenecid (may increase plasma concentrations of ceftriaxone)
• Anticoagulants (may enhance anticoagulant effect)
• Other nephrotoxic agents (increased risk of renal impairment)

Precautions

• Use with caution in patients with renal impairment
• Caution in patients with hepatic impairment
• Monitor for signs of antibiotic-associated colitis
• Use with caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease

Pregnancy

Not known to be harmful, but should be used only if clearly needed.

Breast-feeding

Present in milk in low concentrations, but generally considered appropriate to use.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from light. Reconstituted solutions should be used immediately or stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius and used within 24 hours.

Formulations

• Powder for solution for injection: 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g vials

Indications

• Complicated intra-abdominal infections
• Complicated skin and soft tissue infections
• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Septicemia
• Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria

Dosage

Adults: Refer to the BNF for specific dosing information based on the clinical situation and the combination product used.

Mechanism of action

Tazobactam inhibits bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes, which are responsible for the degradation of beta-lactam antibiotics. This irreversible inhibition is achieved through covalent binding to both plasmid-mediated and chromosome-mediated beta-lactamase enzymes. Tazobactam is particularly effective against the OHIO-1, SHV-1, and TEM groups of beta-lactamases, allowing beta-lactam antibiotics to remain active against organisms that would otherwise resist treatment.

Pharmacodynamics

Tazobactam enhances the effectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics by inhibiting the action of beta-lactamase producing organisms. This inhibition allows the beta-lactam antibiotics to exert their antibacterial effects on a wider range of bacteria, including those that are typically resistant. The combination of tazobactam with other antibiotics can be critical in treating a variety of infections, including serious and life-threatening conditions.

Pharmacokinetics

Tazobactam is administered intravenously and is rapidly distributed in the body. It has a relatively short half-life, necessitating frequent dosing when used in combination with antibiotics. The pharmacokinetics of tazobactam are influenced by factors such as renal function, and adjustments may be required in patients with impaired kidney function. It is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, with both renal clearance and tubular secretion playing roles in its excretion.

Pregnancy

Tazobactam should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether tazobactam is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when administering tazobactam to nursing mothers.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Do not freeze.

Formulations

• Tazobactam is available in combination formulations with piperacillin and ceftolozane.

Mechanism of action

Ceftriaxone works by inhibiting the mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. The beta-lactam moiety of ceftriaxone binds to carboxypeptidases, endopeptidases, and transpeptidases in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. These enzymes are involved in cell-wall synthesis and cell division. Binding of ceftriaxone to these enzymes causes the enzyme to lose activity; therefore, the bacteria produce defective cell walls, causing cell death.

Pharmacodynamics

Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin/cephamycin beta-lactam antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually gram-positive, organisms. Ceftriaxone has <i>in vitro</i> activity against gram-positive aerobic, gram-negative aerobic, and anaerobic bacteria. The bactericidal activity of ceftriaxone results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis and is mediated through ceftriaxone binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Ceftriaxone is stable against hydrolysis by a variety of beta-lactamases, including penicillinases, and cephalosporinases and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases. However, resistance to ceftriaxone usually occurs through beta-lactamase hydrolysis, altered PBPs, or reduced bacterial cell permeability. Ceftriaxone should not be mixed with or giving in the same IV line as diluents/products containing calcium as they may cause ceftriaxone to precipitate. Ceftriaxone use may also cause biliary sludge or gallbladder pseudolithiasis.

Mechanism of action

Tazobactam broadens the spectrum of piperacillin and ceftolozane by making them effective against organisms that express beta-lactamase and would normally degrade them. This occurs through the irreversible inhibition of beta-lactamase enzymes. In addition, tazobactam may bind covalently to plasmid-mediated and chromosome-mediated beta-lactamase enzymes. Tazobactam is predominantly effective against the OHIO-1, SHV-1, and TEM groups of beta-lactamases, but may also inhibit other beta-lactamases. Tazobactam shows little antibacterial activity by itself, and for this reason, is generally not administered alone.

Pharmacodynamics

Tazobactam inhibits the action of bacterial beta-lactamase producing organisms, which are normally resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. This augments the effects of antibiotics which would otherwise not be effective in treating certain infections. These antibiotics contain a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure, which is destroyed by beta-lactam resistant organisms. When combined with other antibiotics, a variety of infections, including serious and life-threatening infections may be treated.