The role of newer orally administered cephalosporins in contemporary outpatient practice

Abstract

Oral h-lactams are among the most widely used antimicrobial agents in the outpatient care environment, and derivatives have evolved considerably since the introduction of penicillin. The discovery of cephalosporin C in 1945 and subsequent development of the class using side chain modifications to improve activity, focus compound spectrum, provide stability against various h-lactamases, and enhance pharmacokinetic and safety characteristics has been nothing less than miraculous, providing clinicians with a wide choice of agents that can be tailored to the site of infection, infecting pathogen, and pertinent patient age, sex, and underlying medical condition(s). The impetus for developing this supplement includes the publication of recent guidelines by a number of medical organizations (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership, and others) to better use existing agents in improving patient outcomes in the ambulatory environment, reduce complications and recurrence of disease, decrease overall healthcare costs, and limit the development of antimicrobial resistance. The following series of articles present a bstate-of-theartQ overview on newer oral cephalosporins and other selected h-lactams being used in contemporary outpatient practice, specifically focusing on the role these agents play in the treatment of acute otitis media (AOM), acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, streptococcal pharyngitis, and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. Given the widespread use of