Concentrations of cefpodoxime in serum and bronchial mucosal biopsies

Cefpodoxime proxetil is a new orally administered cephalosporin which has a favorable spectrum of activity against respiratory pathogens. Concentrations of cefpodoxime in serum and bronchial mucosal biopsy were measured in 13 patients without active respiratory tract infection undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Samples were taken between 1 and 6 h after a single oral dose of cefpodoxime proxetil equivalent to 200 mg of cefpodoxime base. In twelve patients who completed the study, mean serum concentrations were 1.7 mg/L (S.E.M. 0.4) and in ten patients mean bronchial biopsy concentrations were 0.9 mg/L (S.E.M. 0.2). The mean penetration was 54% (S.E.M. 6.1). Cefpodoxime was undetectable in biopsies from two patients. The majority of serum and biopsy concentrations were in excess of the MIC90S for Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Cefpodoxime proxetil may be worthy of further study in clinical trials in patients with respiratory infections.