Cefoxitin

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
cefoxitin
IUPAC name: see chemistry section Synonyms: Formula: C16H17N3O7S2
Uses:	antibiotic drug
Properties:	beta-lactam
Hazards:	see drug interactions
Mass (g/mol): CAS #: 427.4520 35607-66-0

Cefoxitin is a semi-synthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin type of antibiotic, derived from cephamycin C produced by Streptmyces lactamdurans. It is administered intravenously. It is sold under the brand names Mefoxin and Mefoxitin.

Mechanism of Action

Cephalosporin and penicilin-based antbacterial agents inhibit cell wall synthesis of bacteria by binding to penicilin-binding proteins in bacteria through an acylation reaction of the core beta-lactam structure with the cell's proteins.

Chemistry

The IUPAC name for cefoxitin is (6R,7S)-3-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-7-methoxy-8-oxo-7-[(2-thiophen-2-ylacetyl)amino]-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid. It has chemical formula C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₇S₂ and molecular mass of 427.4520 grams/mol. Its antibiotic properties are due to its core beta-lactam structure, which is common to all cephalosporins.

References

The most up-to-date information about Cefoxitin and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Cefoxitin - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Cefoxitin - Drug information for consumers from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Cefoxitin - Detailed information from DrugBank.