Cefotaxime (Cefotaxime) analogs in injections for adults, children

Cefotaxime belongs to antibiotics class of cephalosporins, is the main representative of the 3rd generation. It has a pronounced antimicrobial effect, is produced in injections and is used for bacterial infections caused by a wide range of microorganisms. There are several analogs on the pharmaceutical market with a similar effect. Each of them has its own peculiarities of application.

Domestic and imported analogues

Cefotaxime is available in the form of a sterile powder, which, when mixed with a solvent, becomes an injection solution. The active ingredient of the drug is cefotaxime sodium.

The compound has a bactericidal mechanism of action:

• inhibits the enzyme transpeptidase;
• disrupts the formation of the peptide wall of the bacterial cell;
• causes the death of the pathogenic microorganism.

Cefotaxime is active against most gram-positive and negative bacteria. Its advantage lies in the fact that the drug acts even against those microbes that are resistant to cephalosporins of previous generations.

The bacterial cell is able to mutate and acquire resistance to some antibiotics. This is a natural evolutionary process inherent in nature itself. For this reason, over time, many cephalosporins begin to lose their relevance. Therefore, scientists are forced to synthesize all new antibiotics. So, the representative of the 3rd generation of drugs Cefotaxime is currently relevant in the treatment of most infections.

Cefotaxime, analogs in injections of which are widely represented on pharmacy shelves under various trade names, often remains the drug of choice for the treatment of adult patients in the absence of contraindications.

Analogs include:

• Intrataxim;
• Kefotex;
• Claphorbin;
• Claforan;
• Oritax.

To understand in more detail what the significant difference between these points is, you should consider each of them separately.

Intrataxim

The drug is a complete analogue of Cefotaxime, as it has an identical composition. The active ingredient is sodium cefotaxime.

The main difference between the drugs lies in the manufacturer:

• Cefotaxime is manufactured by the Indian pharmaceutical company Serena Pharm.
• Intrataxime is an antibiotic produced in France at the TORLAN Laboratory plant.

Many factors depend on the manufacturer:

• The quality of the raw materials used. This is the main point that affects not only the therapeutic effect of the drug, but also the risk of developing unwanted side effects and allergic reactions.
• Production technology. Although the preparations have the same active component, the stages of powder production may differ, which will affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the finished preparations.
• Data in the instructions for use. When manufacturing a drug, the manufacturer must provide information on indications, contraindications, dosage regimen, and so on. For similar products, this data may differ.

Analog and Cefotaxime have many similar characteristics:

• Release form. Both drugs are available in powder form; when diluted with a solvent, they should be used in injections.
• Cefotaxime sodium content. Both drugs are available in bottles containing 500 mg or 1 g of the drug.
• Mechanism of action.
• Spectrum of activity.
• Application area.
• Conditions for dispensing from the pharmacy (strictly according to the prescription).

Uncontrolled treatment of the population with antibiotics leads to the formation of resistance of dangerous bacteria to the drugs used. In addition, cephalosporins have many undesirable side reactions and contraindications for use. Systemic antibiotics should only be prescribed by a doctor.

It is a great misconception that antibiotics can be used in cases such as:

• Coughing.
• Long-term ARVI.
• Heat.
• Sore throat.
• For the prevention of complications of a viral disease.

These symptoms can be caused by viruses. Antibiotics are ineffective in treating such diseases, but they can lead to the development of a number of complications.

Antibacterial drugs can be used subject to several points:

• The treatment tactics are selected by the doctor.
• An appropriate examination of the patient was carried out (interview, examination, laboratory tests).
• An accurate diagnosis has been established.
• There are no contraindications to taking the drug.
• The course of treatment takes place under the supervision of a specialist.

Kefotex

Cefotaxime, analogs in injections of which are also represented by Kefotex, is produced in India. Kefotex is also a drug of Indian origin. However, it is manufactured at the plant of another pharmaceutical company called Gepach international (India).

Their differences do not end there. Their area of ​​application in pediatric practice is also different.

Namely:

• Cefotaxime is prohibited for use in patients under the age of 2.5 years (for intramuscular administration).
• Kefotex is approved for use in all children with the exception of newborns. Officially, a baby is considered a newborn only within the first 28 days after birth.

The indications for the treatment of pregnant patients will also be different:

• Cefotaxime can be used at any period of gestation if the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the unborn child.
• Kefotex prohibited for use for the treatment of pregnant women in the 1st trimester.

In any case, treatment with such drugs can only occur if there are precise indications and when prescribed by a doctor after consulting a gynecologist conducting a specific pregnancy patients.

Otherwise, Kefotex and Cefotaxime have similar characteristics.

Claphorbin

It is a structural (complete) analogue of Cefotaxime. Produced in Russia by CJSC "Bryntsalov A."

The drugs are very similar:

• Compound.
• Spectrum of action.
• Indications for use.
• Contraindications and special instructions.

However, there are also differences:

• In practice, a Russian-made product somewhat more often causes the development of such undesirable side effects as dyspepsia, allergies, soreness at the injection site.
• Drug availability. Claphorbin is not one of the common analogues of cefotaxime; it is difficult to find it on drugstore shelves. Therefore, when searching for it, the patient may lose the time required to immediately begin treatment for the infection. Cefotaxime is available in almost every pharmacy organization.

Claforan

Cefotaxime, analogs in injections of which are produced in different countries, can also be replaced the drug Claforan, which is produced in the UK by the pharmaceutical company Aventis Pharma, Limited ".

Claforan is an original drug based on cefotaxime sodium salt. All the tools discussed above are its generics. What are the differences between generics and the original?

When creating the drug Claforan, the manufacturer conducted its own clinical trials. This is done in order to prove not only the effectiveness, but also the safety of the produced agent and the molecule of the active ingredient.

The rest of the drugs with a similar composition cannot boast of having their own evidence base. When creating the original Claforan, Aventis became the owner of a patent that prohibited the production of analogs. However, this document has a certain expiration date, after which other pharmaceutical companies were able to start producing preparations based on sodium cefotaxime.

Their differences from Claforan are as follows:

• Release form. The original drug and generics, although they are produced in the form of a powder for the preparation of an injection solution, have a different list auxiliary components on which pharmacodynamic properties depend (rate of absorption, bioavailability, excretion metabolites). This plays an important role in the treatment of infectious diseases. In practice, the original remedy shows a faster and more pronounced therapeutic effect, which is another advantage of it.
• Production technology. Analogue manufacturers have the right to change the process of creating their drugs. It is for this reason that the lists of auxiliary components for representatives of antibacterial agents differ. This affects the severity of the therapeutic effect of the powder.
• The quality of the raw materials used. Despite the fact that each of the preparations contains cefotaxime, its quality can vary significantly. The purity of raw materials directly affects the likelihood of undesirable effects and allergic reactions. The manufacturer of the original product uses a high-quality European-made substance with proven safety and efficacy during tests.

In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that in many ways the original and generics are still similar. For example, side effects and a list of contraindications. The original drug is contraindicated for use in children under 2.5 years of age, as well as for the treatment of pregnant and lactating patients.

In practice, it has been established that such adverse reactions as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, changes in blood composition occur less frequently in patients undergoing treatment with the original Claforan drug. Of course, there is no guarantee of complete absence of side effects, but the French remedy causes them much less often.

Oritax

This drug is a structural analogue of cefotaxime and theoretically can replace it with drug therapy. However, in practice, this tool is not available, and it is almost impossible to find an antibiotic under this trade name on the pharmaceutical market.

Funds have many characteristics in common:

• Composition and form of release.
• Mechanism and spectrum of action.
• Indications.
• List of unwanted adverse reactions.
• Dosing regimen.

According to the instructions for use, Oritax should be used with extreme caution in children of the first year of life. Its use is recommended in patients weighing more than 20 kg.

The drug is produced by the pharmaceutical company JODAS EXPOIM, Pvt. Ltd ".

The name of the analogs of Cefotaxime for children

Cefotaxime (analogs in injections can be used in children from the first day of life) has several substitutes for children. Preference should be given to the intravenous route of administration. Intramuscular administration of cephalosporins is allowed only when treating patients over the age of 30 months (2.5 years). When drugs of this group are injected into the gluteus muscle, the patient experiences severe pain and discomfort, which can lead to muscle tension and impaired absorption of active components.

For the treatment of bacterial infections in pediatrics, such analogs of Cefotaxime can be used as:

• Intrataxim.
• Kefotex.
• Claforan.
• Liforan.
• Oritaxim.
• Talcef.
• Cefosin.

When treating children, preference should be given to the original product Klaforan. Its use guarantees the most pronounced therapeutic effect with a minimum of side reactions and allergy symptoms. Given the small age of such patients, it should be said that they are more susceptible to antibiotics. Antimicrobial drugs affect your gut microflora, causing diarrhea and abdominal pain. In addition, children are more likely to develop allergic reactions.

Antibiotic therapy requires the additional use of probiotic complexes to maintain the intestinal microflora. For children, the choice of such funds is very limited. Therefore, you should use the highest quality drugs based on the sodium salt of cefotaxime.

Prices

Drugs in this category have different costs:

Name	Price
Cefotaxime	RUB 25 -45
Intrataxim	30 - 50 rubles.
Kefotex	35 - 55 rubles.
Claphorbin	55 - 75 rubles.
Claforan	90-110 rub.
Oritax	30 - 50 rubles.

The exact amount that a particular product will cost to the buyer depends on the region, city and pricing policy of a particular pharmacy chain.

As can be seen from the table, most of the analogues are included in the same price category for 1 g of ready-made powder for preparing a solution for parenteral administration. However, it should be said that some of the representatives are not widely available to buyers.

It is quite difficult to find such drugs in Russian pharmacies as:

• Intrataxim.
• Kefotex.
• Claphorbin.
• Oritax.

Finding them can take not only energy, but also the time it takes to immediately cure a bacterial infection. Often, such diseases require the prompt administration of 3-generation cephalosporin.

The most expensive is the drug under the trade name Klaforan. The price for one package exceeds the cost of Cefotaxime by almost 4 times. As a rule, the high cost of treatment is typical for original drugs. The manufacturer spends a lot of money on the transportation of the antibiotic from Europe to Russia, as well as on a number of tests. It is thanks to the tests that the buyer can be sure that he has purchased not only the most effective product in this line, but also the safest one.

The creators of the original use in the production of pure high-quality substances of European quality. For this reason, the risk of developing dyspepsia and allergic reactions during treatment with Claforan is minimal. This point is especially important when treating infections in children, pregnant or lactating women, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

When choosing a therapeutic agent based on the sodium salt of cefotaxime for the treatment of a bacterial infection, the patient cannot make a decision on his own. This should be done by a doctor (infectious disease specialist, pediatrician, therapist, urologist, surgeon, gynecologist). It is a specialist who can choose the most effective drug that will provide an effect in the shortest possible time with a minimum risk of side reactions and complications.

Savings should not be a priority when treating bacterial infections. It is more reasonable to pay more and take the original remedy, but be confident in the effectiveness of the treatment. If, nevertheless, Claforan is not affordable for everyone, then the Indian drug Cefotaxime should be preferred. It is he who is the most affordable.

Cefotaxime injections is often the drug of choice for treating severe bacterial infections. When choosing a treatment regimen for infection in children, pregnant and lactating patients, as well as the elderly, you should pay attention to the original analogue of the drug called Claforan. However, only a doctor's consultation will help you make the right choice.

Author: Olga Orlova

Video about Cefotaxime

How to properly dilute Cefotaxime: