NCIt definition : The sodium salt form of cefotaxime, a beta-lactam, third-generation cephalosporin
antibiotic with bactericidal activity. Cefotaxime sodium binds to and inactivates
penicillin-binding proteins (PBP) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell
wall. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linking 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. Compared to the second and first
generation cephalosporins, cefotaxime sodium is more active against gram-negative
bacteria and less active against gram-positive bacteria.;