Cefpiramide

Intravenous
Susceptible infections

Infectious mononucleosis, lymphatic leukaemia, HIV infection; hypersensitivity to penicillins.

Very high doses in poor renal function (risk of neurotoxicity) or heart failure. Avoid contact, skin sensitization may occur. Monitor serum K concentration, renal and haematological status. Spirochete infections particularly syphilis; suprainfection with penicillin-resistant organisms with prolonged use; avoid intrathecal route. Discontinue in case of skin rash.

Hypersensitivity reactions including uticaria; fever; joint pains; rashes; angioedema; serum sickness-like reactions; haemolytic anaemia; interstitial nephritis; neutropaenia; thrombocytopaenia; CNS toxicity including convulsions; diarrhoea; nausea; vomiting.
Potentially Fatal: Pseudomembranous colitis.

Prolonged ¹/2 life when used with probenecid. Bacteriostatic drugs eg chloramphenicol, tetracyclines; other antibacterials; anticoagulants.

May interfere with diagnostic tests for urinary glucose using copper sulfate, direct Coomb's test, and test for urinary or serum proteins. May interfere with diagnostic tests that use bacteria.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Cefpiramide is active against P. aeruginosa, but possibly less active against Enterobacteriaceae. It is also active against staphylococci and streptococci and marginally active against enterococci in vitro. It inhibits final cross-linking stage of peptidoglycan production through binding and inactivation of transpeptidases on the inner surface of the bacterial cell membrane thus inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Cephalosporins