Cefcapene is a semisynthetic third-generation cephalosporin with antibacterial activity. Cefcapene binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs are enzymes involved in the terminal stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall and in reshaping the cell wall during growth and division. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. This results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis.

Tebipenem pivoxil is an oral carbapenem prodrug that was originated by Wyeth (now Pfizer). It was approved by Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency of Japan (PMDA) on Apr 22, 2009. It was developed and marketed as Orapenem® by Meiji Seika in Japan. Tebipenem pivoxil is a broad-spectrum orally-administered antibiotic, from the carbapenem subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics. Carbapenems are a class of beta-lactam antibiotics, which act by inhibiting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. It is used to treat otorhinolaryngological infection, otitis media and bacterial pneumonia. Orapenem® is available as granules for oral use, containing 100 mg Tebipenem pivoxil/g granules. According to the weight of children, 4 mg/kg, and twice a day after dinner.