Oral third-generation cephalosporin cefpodoxime in the therapy of respiratory infections

Abstract

Oral 3rd generation cephalosporin cefpodoxime proxetil has been available in the antibiotic armamentarium for more than 30 years, however, unlike other oral cephalosporins (e.g. cefixime), it has not been given due recognition in clinical practice in Russia due to its low availability on the domestic pharmaceutical market. At the same time, the high activity of cefpodoxime against respiratory pathogens (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and S. pyogenes), pharmacological characteristics, results of clinical trials of its safety and efficacy, allow us to discuss the inclusion of this antimicrobial into Russian clinical guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired respiratory infections, primarily in outpatients, as well as for stepdown therapy of these infections in the hospital. In addition, cefpodoxime is a reliable option to replace parenteral therapy, in particular with ceftriaxone, which is unreasonably often prescribed in outpatient practice in Russia, without the threat of loss of the treatment efficacy.