Cefotaxime:

• A 3^rd generation cephalosporin antibiotic (similar to ceftriaxone)

• Bactericidal

• Injectable form only available. Can give IV or IM.

• Crosses blood brain barrier ONLY if meninges inflamed.

• High risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly inpatients.

• Not to be used in patients with a serious penicillin allergy (e.g. anaphylaxis).

Main indications:

• Only used for neonates – see Neonatal specialist guidelines

• Ceftriaxone is the preferred 3^rd generation cephalosporin for adults

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (NOT MRSA)

• Streptococci

• Escherichia coli

• Klebsiella sp

• Proteus sp

• Enterobacter sp
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Neisseria gonorrhoea

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA

• Enterococcus

• Bacteroides

• Pseudomonas

• Listeria monocytogenes

Page last edited: 09/02/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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