Latamoxef
Encyclopedia
Latamoxef is an oxacephem
antibiotic
usually grouped with the cephalosporin
s. In oxacephems such as latamoxef, the sulfur
atom of the cephalosporin core is replaced with an oxygen
atom.
Latamoxef has been associated with prolonged bleeding time
, and several cases of coagulopathy
, some fatal, were reported during the 1980s. Latamoxef is no longer available in the United States. As with other cephalosporins with a methylthiotetrazole side chain, latamoxef causes an antabuse reaction when mixed with alcohol. Additionally the methylthiotetrazole side chain inhibits γ-carboxylation of glutamic acid; this can interfere with the actions of vitamin K.
It has been described as a third generation cephalosporin.
Oxacephem
An oxacephem is a molecule similar to a cephem, but with oxygen substituted for the sulfur. They are synthetically made compounds and have not been discovered in nature.An example is moxalactam.Another example is flomoxef....
antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
usually grouped with the cephalosporin
Cephalosporin
The cephalosporins are a class of β-lactam antibiotics originally derived from Acremonium, which was previously known as "Cephalosporium".Together with cephamycins they constitute a subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics called cephems.-Medical use:...
s. In oxacephems such as latamoxef, the sulfur
Sulfur
Sulfur or sulphur is the chemical element with atomic number 16. In the periodic table it is represented by the symbol S. It is an abundant, multivalent non-metal. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with chemical formula S8. Elemental sulfur is a bright yellow...
atom of the cephalosporin core is replaced with an oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
atom.
Latamoxef has been associated with prolonged bleeding time
Bleeding time
Bleeding time is a medical test done on someone to assess their platelet functionThe term "template bleeding time" is used when the test is performed to standardized parameters. This makes it easier to compare data collected at different facilities....
, and several cases of coagulopathy
Coagulopathy
Coagulopathy is a condition in which the blood’s ability to clot is impaired. This condition can cause prolonged or excessive bleeding, which may occur spontaneously or following an injury or medical and dental procedures.The normal clotting process depends on the interplay of various proteins in...
, some fatal, were reported during the 1980s. Latamoxef is no longer available in the United States. As with other cephalosporins with a methylthiotetrazole side chain, latamoxef causes an antabuse reaction when mixed with alcohol. Additionally the methylthiotetrazole side chain inhibits γ-carboxylation of glutamic acid; this can interfere with the actions of vitamin K.
It has been described as a third generation cephalosporin.