Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins. Cefpodoxime proxetil is a prodrug that is inactive until hydrolyzed in vivo to cefpodoxime. Usually bactericidal. Active in vitro and in clinical infections against Gram-positive aerobic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains), S. saprophyticus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (penicillin-susceptible strains only), S. pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci). Also active in vitro against S. agalactiae (group B streptococci) and groups C, F, and G streptococci. Enterococci (e.g. Enterococcus faecalis) and oxacillin-resistant (methicillin-resistant) staphylococci are resistant (strains of staphylococci resistant to penicillinase-resistant penicillins). Active in vitro and in clinical infections against Gram-negative aerobic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenza (including β-lactamase-producing strains), Moraxella catarrhalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Also active in vitro against Citrobacter diversus, K. oxytoca, P. vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri, H. parainfluenzae. Inactive against Pseudomonas and Enterobacter. Stable in the presence of a variety of β-lactamases produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Inactive against fungi, and viruses.