Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime (marketed as the prodrug cefpodoxime proxetil by Pharmacia & Upjohn under the trade name Vantin&reg;) is an oral third generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is active against most Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Notable exceptions include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides fragilis. It is commonly used to treat acute otitis media, pharyngitis, and sinusitis. It also finds use as oral continuation therapy when intravenous cephalosporins (such as ceftriaxone) are no longer necessary for continued treatment. Pfizer, the parent company of Pharmacia & Upjohn, markets Cefpodoxime proxetil under the trade name Simplicef&reg; for veterinary use. The dose range in dogs is 5-10 mg/kg body weight, administered orally, once a day. Outside the US, Cefpodoxime proxetil is marketed as Banan&reg;.