| Description |
Cefoxitin (MefoxinR) is a semi-synthetic, broad-spectrum cepha antibiotic for parenteral administration. Cefoxitin has in vitro activity against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and has a high degree of stability in the presence of betalactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases of gramnegative bacteria. It is manufactured by Merck Sharp and Dohme, Division of Merck and Company, Inc. West Point, PA. On August 10, 1982, cefoxitin was removed from formularyrestricted; status and placed on formulary non-restricted status by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at the University of Utah Hospital. During the restricted period, physicians wishing to use cefoxitin had to receive verbal approval to prescribe the drug from an attending physician on the Infectious Disease Service before the drug was dispensed from the pharmacy. The antibiotic restriction system was established to assure the wise and prudent use of antibiotics within the hospital. It allows physicians, inexperienced in the use of the antibiotic, to become educated by the Infectious Disease Service regarding appropriateness of the drug before it is allowed to be prescribed. It is hoped that this system will educate physicians and other health care professionals as to the need for judicious use of antibiotics in order to minimize the problems of emerging resistance, adverse reactions and excessive cost to the patient. |
