Cefotaxime antibacterial spectrum

Cefotaxime can be used in infections due to beta-lactamase producing strains of H. influenzae and N. gonorrhoeae. Ceftriaxone has an antibacterial spectrum similar to that of cefotaxime but its longer half-life allows for less frequent dosing. Ceftazidime is especially effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cetixime and cefpodoxime are third-generation cephalosporins that can be administered orally. 

The antibacterial spectrum of moxalactam (Table 9) is similar in breadth and potency to that of cefotaxime (36). Hence, moxalactam (48) is classified with the third-generation cephalosporins. In general 1-oxacephalosporins are considerably more susceptible to p-lactamases than their sulfur counterparts... 

When selecting antibiotics, the clinician must consider the antibiotic concentration at the site of infection, as well as the spectrum of antibacterial activity. Empirical choices should be based on age and predisposing conditions, (a) Ceftriaxone or cefotaxime and vancomycin are reasonable initial choices for empirical coverage of community-acquired meningitis in adult patients, (b) Listeria monocytogenes... 

---