Toxicology of cefotaxime in comparison to other cephalosporins

Abstract

Cefotaxime is very well tolerated in animals, the LD 50 in rats and mice following intravenous administration is in the range of 9 to 10 g/kg. This is unusual for a chemotherapeutic agent Even the LD 50 of penicillin G in the mouse is in the range of 2 g/kg, which means its toxicity is about 5 times higher compared to that of cefotaxime. Comparative nephrotoxicity studies revealed that cefotaxime is one of the best tolerated cephalosporins. Its kidney tolerance in the rat is ten times better than that of cephaloridine. Subacute and chronic toxicity studies in rats and dogs showed an extremely high tolerance of the compound in both species. Reproduction toxicological studies did not show any adverse effect, either on fertility or on fetal development Cefotaxime is a highly effective antibacterial agent with unusually high tolerance.