Definition

Noun: * A specific, semi-synthetic, broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the cephamycin class, which is structurally related to cephalosporins. It is effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Usage

• "Mefoxin" is a proprietary trade name. In formal medical and pharmacological contexts, its generic name, cefoxitin, is predominantly used.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a dose of Mefoxin, several grams of Mefoxin).

Examples

• The surgeon ordered a prophylactic dose of Mefoxin before the colorectal procedure.
• Mefoxin is often used to treat intra-abdominal infections and pelvic inflammatory disease.
• The hospital's formulary lists cefoxitin as the preferred alternative to the branded Mefoxin.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in clinical, pharmaceutical, and historical contexts discussing antibiotic development.
• Its mention often relates to its role as an early example of a semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic modified to resist bacterial enzymes (beta-lactamases).

Variants and Related Words

• Cefoxitin (n): The generic, non-proprietary name for the antibiotic compound marketed as Mefoxin.
• Cephamycin (n): The class of beta-lactam antibiotics to which cefoxitin (Mefoxin) belongs.
• Beta-lactam antibiotic (n): The broader category of antibiotics that includes penicillins, cephalosporins, and cephamycins like Mefoxin.

Synonyms

• Cefoxitin (direct synonym, generic name)
• Broad-spectrum antibiotic (descriptive synonym for its functional category)

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning refers specifically to the drug cefoxitin sodium. It does not refer to all antibiotics or all cephalosporin-related drugs, but to this particular agent.
• The reference to being "obtained from fungi and related to penicillin" describes its historical and structural origin as a naturally derived compound that was then chemically modified.

Noun

1. one of several broad spectrum antibiotic substances obtained from fungi and related to penicillin (trade names Mefoxin); addition of side chains has produced semisynthetic antibiotics with greater antibacterial activity