Effect of ethyl cellulose in a medium-chain triglyceride on the bioavailability of ceftizoxime

The oral bioavailability of new formulations of ceftizoxime sodium was investigated in animals and humans. In rats, one of the formulations tested showed significant improvement, with a urinary excretion of 47.7% (0--24 hr). Good results were obtained also in dogs. In humans, the mean peak serum level was 3.6 micrograms/ml at 3.3 hr postadministration for formulation 10. The average ceftizoxime AUC at 0--8 hr was 17.3 micrograms hr/ml and urinary excretion of ceftizoxime was 9.6% (0--24 hr). The concentrations in the serum exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations for most of the commonly encountered bacterial pathogens.