Cefpodoxime is an orally administered, extended spectrum, semi-synthetic antibiotic of the cephalosporin class. Cefpodoxime is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cefpodoxime has activity in the presence of some beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Cefpodoxime is indicated for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms in the conditions: acute otitis media; pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis; community-acquired pneumonia; acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; gonorrhea; uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections; acute maxillary sinusitis and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis). Common adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, vaginal fungal infections, vulvovaginal infections, abdominal pain, headache. Concomitant administration of high doses of antacids (sodium bicarbonate and aluminum hydroxide) or H2 blockers reduces peak plasma levels by 24% to 42% and the extent of absorption by 27% to 32%, respectively. Oral anti-cholinergics (e.g., propantheline) delay peak plasma levels (47% increase in Tmax), but do not affect the extent of absorption (AUC). Probenecid: As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, renal excretion of cefpodoxime was inhibited by probenecid and resulted in an approximately 31% increase in AUC and 20% increase in peak cefpodoxime plasma levels.

Sotalol has both beta-adrenoreceptor blocking and cardiac action potential duration prolongation antiarrhythmic properties. Sotalol inhibits response to adrenergic stimuli by competitively blocking β1-adrenergic receptors within the myocardium and β2-adrenergic receptors within bronchial and vascular smooth muscle. It is FDA approved for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, symptomatic atrial fibtillation, symptomatic atriall flutter. Common adverse reactions include bradyarrhythmia, chest pain, lightheadedness, palpitations, rash, nausea, dizziness, headache, dyspnea, fatigue. Proarrhythmic events were more common in sotalol treated patients also receiving digoxin. Sotalol should be administered with caution in conjunction with calcium blocking drugs because of possible additive effects on atrioventricular conduction or ventricular function. Patients treated with sotalol plus a catecholamine depletor should therefore be closely monitored for evidence of hypotension and/or marked bradycardia which may produce syncope.

Bisoprolol is a cardioselective beta1-adrenergic blocking agent. It lower the heart rate and blood pressure and may be used to reduce workload on the heart and hence oxygen demands. This results in a reduction of heart rate, cardiac output, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and possibly reflex orthostatic hypotension. Bisoprolol can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, ischemic heart diseases, and myocardial infarction after the acute event. General side effects are: fatigue, asthenia, chest pain, malaise, edema, weight gain, angioedema. Concurrent use of rifampin increases the metabolic clearance of bisoprolol fumarate, shortening its elimination half-life.

Carteolol is a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent for ophthalmic use. It has been shown to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure and may be used in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other intraocular pressure lowering medications. The following adverse reactions have been reported: transient eye irritation, burning, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia and edema. Carteolol may cause bradycardia and decreased blood pressure, headache, arrhythmia, syncope, heart block, cerebral vascular accident, cerebral ischemia, congestive heart failure, palpitation, nausea, depression. Carteolol should be used with caution in patients who are receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent orally, because of the potential for additive effects on systemic beta-blockade.

Aztreonam is the first monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic (monobactam) originally isolated from Chromobacterium violaceum. Aztreonam has a high affinity for the protein-binding protein 3 (PBP-3) of aerobic gram-negative bacteria. Most of these organisms are inhibited and killed at low concentrations of the drug. Aztreonam must be administered as an intravenous or intramuscular injection (AZACTAM®), or inhaled (CAYSTON®). Aztreonam for injection is indicated for the treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible gram-negative microorganisms: urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, skin and skin-structure, intra-abdominal and gynecologic infections as well as for septicemia. Aztreonam for inhalation solution is indicated to improve respiratory symptoms in cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Sulbactam is a β-lactamase inhibitor given in combination with β-lactam antibiotics to inhibit β-lactamase, an enzyme produced by bacteria that destroys the antibiotics. Sulbactam in combination with semisynthetic antibiotic ampicillin sodium is indicated for the treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli etc; Intra-Abdominal Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. (including K. Pneumoniae) tec; Gynecological Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides spp. (including B. fragilis).

Sulbactam is a β-lactamase inhibitor given in combination with β-lactam antibiotics to inhibit β-lactamase, an enzyme produced by bacteria that destroys the antibiotics. Sulbactam in combination with semisynthetic antibiotic ampicillin sodium is indicated for the treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms: Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli etc; Intra-Abdominal Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. (including K. Pneumoniae) tec; Gynecological Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides spp. (including B. fragilis).

Cefixime, an antibiotic, is a third-generation cephalosporin like ceftriaxone and cefotaxime. Cefixime is highly stable in the presence of beta-lactamase enzymes. As a result, many organisms resistant to penicillins and some cephalosporins due to the presence of beta-lactamases, may be susceptible to cefixime. The antibacterial effect of cefixime results from inhibition of mucopeptide synthesis in the bacterial cell wall. Like all beta-lactam antibiotics, cefixime binds to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, causing the inhibition of the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefixime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor. Cefixime is sold under the brand name Suprax, indicated for the treatment of: Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Otitis Media Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis Uncomplicated Gonorrhea (cervical/urethral)

Esmolol (trade name Brevibloc) is a cardioselective beta1 receptor blocker with rapid onset, a very short duration of action, and no significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane stabilizing activity at therapeutic dosages. Esmolol decreases the force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, which are found in the heart and other organs of the body. Esmolol prevents the action of two naturally occurring substances: epinephrine and norepinephrine. Esmolol predominantly blocks the beta-1 receptors in cardiac tissue. Used for the rapid control of ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter in perioperative, postoperative, or other emergent circumstances where short term control of ventricular rate with a short-acting agent is desirable. Also used in noncompensatory sinus tachycardia where the rapid heart rate requires specific intervention.

Cefotetan is a semisynthetic cephamycin antibiotic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The drug is highly resistant to a broad spectrum of beta-lactamases and is active against a wide range of both aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. It is FDA approved for the treatment of urinary tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, skin and skin structure infections, gynecologic infection, intra-abdominal infection, and bone and joint infection; and for prophylaxis of postoperative infection. The bactericidal action of cefotetan results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. The methoxy group in the 7-alpha position provides cefotetan with a high degree of stability in the presence of beta-lactamases including both penicillinases and cephalosporinase of gram-negative bacteria. Common adverse reactions include diarrhea and nausea. As with other cephalosporins, high concentrations of cefotetan may interfere with measurement of serum and urine creatinine levels.