Cephalothin monosodium salt, also known by its chemical name 6-[(5R)-2-carboxy-2-phenylacetamido]-3,3-dimethyl-7-oxo-4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid monosodium salt, is an antibiotic compound that belongs to the cephalosporin class. It is derived from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid and exhibits bactericidal properties.
As a monosodium salt, cephalothin is in a form that can easily dissolve and become active in an aqueous environment. It possesses a broad spectrum of activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, making it effective against various bacterial infections. This activity arises from its ability to inhibit the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall by binding to penicillin-binding proteins.
Cephalothin monosodium salt is primarily administered parenterally, typically through intramuscular or intravenous routes, due to its poor oral bioavailability. Its pharmacokinetic properties include a relatively short half-life, which necessitates frequent dosing intervals to maintain therapeutic levels in the body.
While cephalothin monosodium salt has been widely used in the past, its clinical use has decreased in recent years due to the emergence of bacterial strains resistant to its action. As a result, alternative antibiotics with broader antibiotic coverage and improved resistance profiles have become more commonly used.
Overall, cephalothin monosodium salt is a cephalosporin antibiotic that is effective against a range of bacterial infections but may be limited by resistance patterns. Its use should be guided by susceptibility testing and appropriate clinical judgment.
