Introduction

Name

• Cefovecin.

Class of drug

• Third generation cephalosporin antimicrobial.

Description

Chemical name

• (6R,7R)-7-[[(2Z)-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)(methoxyimino)acetyl]amino]-8-oxo-3-[(2S)-tetrahydro-2-furanyl]-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, monosodium salt.

Molecular formula

• C17H18N5NaO6S2

Molecular weight

• 475.47

Physical properties

• The powder is off-white to yellow and the diluent is a clear, colorless liquid.
• Each vial of lyophilized powder contains 852 mg Cefovecin (as sodium salt), containing methylparahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) as excipients.
• In Europe lyophilized powder has to be reconstituted with a specific diluent containing 13 mg/ml benzyl alcohol and 10.8 ml water for injections, yielding an 80.0 mg/ml solution of Cefovecin.
• In common with other cephalosporin antibiotics, the color of the solution darkens over time. Potency is not affected when the solution is stored as described.

Storage requirements

• Store powder and the reconstituted product in original carton, refrigerated at 2-8°C (32-46°F). Use entire contents of the vial within 28 days of reconstitution.
• Protect from light.

Uses

Indications

Indications vary between Europe and USA and other continents (check local package insert).

EU indications

• For the treatment of skin Skin: bacterial skin disease - overview and soft tissue infections including pyoderma Skin: deep pyoderma wounds and abscesses associated with Staphylococcus intermedius, beta-hemolytic Streptococci, Escherichia coli and/or Pasteurella multocida.
• For the treatment of urinary tract infections Cystitis associated with Escherichia coli and/or Proteus spp.

US indications

• Treatment of skin infections (secondary superficial pyoderma), abscesses and wounds) caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus canis (Group G).
• For the treatment of urinary tract infections associated with Escherichia coli and/or Proteus spp.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Concurrent use of other substances that have a high degree of protein binding (eg furosemide, ketoconazole, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) may compete with cefovecin binding and thus may cause adverse effects.

with diagnostic tests

• No known or anticipated interactions with diagnostic tests, but specific evaluations have not been performed.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Passmore C A, Sherington J, Stegemann M R (2007) Efficacy and safety of cefovecin (Convenia) for the treatment of urinary tract infections in dogs. JSAP 48 (3), 139-144 PubMed.
• Stegemann M R, Coati N, Passmore C A et al (2007) Clinical efficacy and safety of cefovecin in the treatment of canine pyoderma and wound infections. JSAP 48 (7), 378-386 PubMed.
• Stegemann M R, Passmore C A, Sherington J et al (2006) Antimicrobial activity and spectrum of cefovecin, a new extended- spectrum cephalosporin, against pathogens collected from dogs and cats in Europe and North America. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 50 (7), 2286-2292 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• www.convenia.com/pdfs/Convenia_prescribing_information.pdf.
• www.emea.europa.eu EPARs for authorized veterinary medicinal products.