With the active ingredient Cefizim it is a semi-synthetic antibiotic with a relatively broad spectrum of activity. The antibiotic belongs to the category of so-called beta-lactam antibiotics. It is also a third generation cephalosporin. Cefizim is usually given orally.
What is Cefizim?
In pharmaceutical use, cefizim is used in the form of cefixime trihydrate. It is processed into finished medicinal products that are available on the market.
Basically, Cefizim can be purchased in the form of film-coated tablets, tablets, drinking tablets, as granules and as dry juice. Cefizim in the form of granules is usually used to create a suspension.
Pharmacological effect
In principle, many germs are resistant to penicillins as well as numerous cephalosporins. Some of these bacteria are sensitive to cefizim because this active ingredient is relatively stable in the presence of so-called beta-lactamase enzymes.
The mechanism of action of the drug Cefizim is primarily based on the fact that the drug inhibits the formation of cell walls in the sensitive bacteria. For this reason, the active ingredient prevents the pathogens from multiplying undisturbed. Because Cefizim causes the growing cells of the bacteria to divide incorrectly. As a result, the cell walls, which are made up of the substance murein, burst and the bacteria die.
When treating with Cefizim, care should be taken to ensure that the so-called dose-effect relationship is well developed. For this reason, the drug Cefizim has a relatively wide spectrum of activity. Therefore, consuming large quantities of Cefizim can quickly lead to overdoses. Typical signs of such an overdose include bloody urine, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and pain in the upper abdomen.
In principle, the absorption of the active ingredient cefizim is not impaired by meals. The half-life of the drug is usually between three to four hours. In some cases, however, the half-life is up to nine hours. In people who suffer from severe kidney dysfunction, the half-life may even increase to 11.5 hours.
Basically, the substance cefizim is metabolized in the liver. However, almost half of the amount of active ingredient absorbed is excreted with the urine within one day.
The drug cefizim has a bactericidal or bacteria-killing effect on gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens. Cefizim acts against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, for example. In addition, Cefizim is effective against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Pasteurella multocida. In contrast, staphylococci such as Staphylococcus aureus are resistant to cefizim.
Medical application & use
The drug Cefizim is suitable for the therapy of numerous chronic and acute infectious diseases caused by bacteria. These include primarily those infections that are triggered by streptococci. For example, the active ingredient cefizim is used in infectious diseases that affect the upper and lower respiratory tract. The drug Cefizim is also effective for pneumonia and inflammation of the throat.
In addition, the active ingredient can be used for infections of the ear, nose and throat area, for example inflammations of the middle ear, throat, tonsils and sinuses. Cefizim is also sometimes given to treat colds.
In addition, Cefizim is also effective against skin infections, inflammation of the biliary tract and various venereal diseases such as gonorrhea. Cefizim is also effective against inflammation of the kidneys and inflammation of the lower urinary tract.
Risks & side effects
Various undesirable side effects and complaints are possible as part of the therapy with the active ingredient cefizim. However, these do not occur to the same extent in every patient, but vary depending on the individual case. Some people do not show any side effects during treatment with the active ingredient cefizim. Other patients, however, suffer from such severe side effects that the therapy has to be discontinued.
In principle, the drug must not be used if there has already been significant hypersensitivity reactions to the drug or other beta-lactam antibiotics. In addition, the drug is not suitable for the treatment of premature babies and infants in the first month of life. Even with an existing allergy to penicillins, a cross allergy may occur during therapy with Cefizim.
Since Cefizim has no teratogenic effects, it can be used during breastfeeding and pregnancy after a thorough examination by a specialist.
Common side effects include digestive tract symptoms such as diarrhea. Hypersensitivity reactions, which in the worst case can lead to anaphylactic shock, are far less common.
Changes in the blood count very rarely occur during therapy with the active substance cefizim. For example, this reduces the number of white blood cells (leukopenia). Blood coagulation disorders, liver inflammation, changes in the skin and extreme diarrhea are also possible.
In principle, a doctor should be consulted immediately in the event of side effects and other complaints that occur during or immediately after therapy with Cefizim. It may be necessary to stop taking the antibiotic.
