Oral Cephalosporin Dosage Forms: Advantages of Cefixime in Capsule Form

Cephalosporins are important agents in the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections. Since the isolation of their first representative in 1945, they have become widespread both in local treatment of infections and in complex treatment in hospitals. A special place among cephalosporins is occupied by a representative of their third generation, cefixime. It is not only the first semi-synthetic, orally active, and effective antibiotic, but it also demonstrates remarkable antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacterial strains. The choice of dosage form for oral administration of cefixime remains relevant to this day. A rather modest range of cephalosporin antibiotics in capsule form and cefixime in oral forms is sold on the Russian market in 2025. Despite the potential material costs in production, capsules containing cefixime as an active pharmaceutical substance may be eligible candidates for the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections due to a number of advantages of this particular dosage form. The review presents brief information about cephalosporins (history of discovery, classification, spectrum of action, scheme of semi-synthetic synthesis, etc.), as well as advantages and disadvantages of oral capsule dosage form. Also, the state of the Russian pharmaceutical market regarding registered capsule dosage forms based on cephalosporins and, in general, oral dosage forms based on a representative of class 3 cephalosporins, cefixime, had been analyzed.

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