Cefotiam is a parenteral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.As a beta-lactam, its bactericidal activity results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins. Cefotiam inhibits final cross-linking stage of peptidoglycan production thus inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It has similar or less activity against Gram positive staphylococci and streptococci, but is resistant to some beta-lactamases produced by Gram negative bacteria. It is more active against many of the Enterobacteriaceae including Enterobacter, E. coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella and indole-positive Proteus species. Prophylaxis for surgical infection, postoperative infections, bacterial septicaemia, bone and joint infections, cholangitis, cholecystitis, peritonitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, cystitis, urethritis and infections caused by susceptible organisms.