Expert Opinion on the Prescription Practice of Cefpodoxime in the Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Indian Settings

Background: Cefpodoxime's prodrug form was absorbed and de-esterified by enterocytes to release the active metabolite, and it shows good In vitro activity against bacterial pathogens causing common RTIs. It was unknown, nevertheless, how clinicians considered about cefpodoxime. Objective: To gather expert opinion on the use of cefpodoxime in the management of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Indian settings. Methodology: The cross-sectional survey utilized a 19-item, multiple-response questionnaire to gather expert opinions from specialists with expertise in managing RTIs. The survey encompassed questions about current prescription practices, clinical observations, preferences, and experiences related to the use of cefpodoxime in routine settings for RTI management. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Approximately 53% of the clinicians reported prescribing cefpodoxime in cases of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), while 44% of them indicated using it for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). Cefpodoxime emerged as the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agent for treating URTIs, as reported by 86% of the clinicians. Majority (86.02%) of the clinicians favored cefpodoxime as the oral drug of choice for treating acute otitis media. More than half (68.34%) of the clinicians indicated prescribing cefpodoxime for approximately 5 to 7 days in cases of URTIs. The advantages of cefpodoxime, including its broad spectrum, favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and good bacteriological and clinical efficacy, were acknowledged by 65% of clinicians. Conclusion: The survey findings corroborated cefpodoxime as a widely used antibiotic in Indian settings for managing URTIs and acute otitis media. Clinicians reported that its broad-spectrum coverage, favorable pharmacokinetic profile, and clinical efficacy contribute to its popularity in the management of RTIs.