Cefonicid is a medication used to treat bacterial infections. It is pronounced /sɛfɒnɪsɪd/. The "cefo-" prefix comes from cephalosporin, a class of antibiotics, and "-nicid" is a suffix that denotes killing or destroying. The spelling of the word follows English phonetic rules, with "ce" pronounced as /sɛ/ and "-fon-" pronounced as /fɒn/. The final "-icid" is pronounced as /ɪsɪd/. Proper spelling of medical terms is important for communication and avoiding confusion or errors in healthcare.
Cefonicid is a noun that refers to a semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic drug used in the treatment of various bacterial infections. It belongs to the second generation of cephalosporins, which are known for their broad-spectrum activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Cefonicid exerts its therapeutic effect by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall, thereby preventing the growth and multiplication of bacteria. It is particularly effective against pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, osteomyelitis, gynecological infections, and septicemia.
As a beta-lactam antibiotic, cefonicid is structurally similar to penicillin and exert its bactericidal effects through binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in the bacterial cell wall, interfering with cell wall synthesis and eventually leading to cell lysis and death.
Cefonicid is administered via intravenous route and is available in various forms, including powder for injection. The dosage of cefonicid depends on the patient's age, weight, and the severity of the infection. Common side effects of cefonicid may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and skin rashes.
It is important to note that cefonicid should be used only under medical supervision, and the complete prescribed course should be followed to ensure adequate treatment and prevent antibiotic resistance.
The word "Cefonicid" is derived from the chemical name "7-[(2R)-Amino-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)acetamido]-3-[[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)thio]methyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid". The term "cef-" in Cefonicid indicates that it belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics.
Cephalosporins are a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics that were first derived from a fungus named Cephalosporium acremonium by Italian scientist Giuseppe Brotzu in the 1940s.