cefoxitin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “cefoxitin” mean?
A semisynthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic derived from cephamycin C, effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including anaerobes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A semisynthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic derived from cephamycin C, effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including anaerobes.
A second-generation cephamycin antibiotic, often used in hospital and surgical settings for prophylaxis and treatment, particularly where anaerobic or beta-lactamase-producing organisms are suspected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differences may exist in stress placement (British: /sɪˈfɒksɪtɪn/; American: /səˈfɑːksɪtɪn/). Spelling is identical.
Connotations
None beyond its medical definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and confined to medical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cefoxitin” in a Sentence
The patient was given [cefoxitin] for surgical prophylaxis.[Cefoxitin] is indicated for intra-abdominal infections.The infection proved susceptible to [cefoxitin].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmacological, and microbiology research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Almost never used; only by patients or caregivers discussing a specific prescribed medication.
Technical
The primary domain: used in clinical notes, drug formularies, hospital protocols, and by pharmacists, doctors, and nurses.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cefoxitin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cefoxitin”
- Misspelling as 'cefoxicine', 'cefoxitin', 'cefotoxin'. Incorrect pronunciation placing stress on the first syllable (/ˈsiːfɒksɪtɪn/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Cefoxitin is a second-generation cephamycin, which is a subclass of beta-lactam antibiotics related to cephalosporins.
It is used for surgical prophylaxis (especially in colorectal and obstetric-gynecologic surgeries) and for treating mixed aerobic-anaerobic infections like intra-abdominal infections.
No, cefoxitin is not stable when taken by mouth. It is administered intravenously or, less commonly, intramuscularly.
A key feature is its stability against many beta-lactamase enzymes and its reliable activity against anaerobic bacteria, including Bacteroides fragilis.
A semisynthetic, broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic derived from cephamycin C, effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including anaerobes.
Cefoxitin is usually technical / medical in register.
Cefoxitin: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈfɒksɪtɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈfɑːksɪtɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CEphalo-sporin FOXes the infection with iT IN the body.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable. It is a concrete pharmaceutical agent.
Practice
Quiz
Cefoxitin is primarily classified as which type of drug?