IT IS A PRODRUG WHICH IS HYDROLYZED BY ESTERASES DURING ABSORPTION, AND THE DRUG IS DISTRIBUTED IN THE CIRCULATING BLOOD AS ACTIVE CEFDITOREN. AFTER ABSORPTION, CEFDITOREN IS MAINLY ELIMINATED BY EXCRETION INTO THE URINE, WITH A RENAL CLEARANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 4-5 L/H. THE BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CEFDITOREN RESULTS FROM THE INHIBITION OF CELL WALL SYNTHESIS VIA AFFINITY FOR PENICILLIN-BINDING PROTEINS (PBPS). CEFDITOREN IS STABLE IN THE PRESENCE OF A VARIETY OF (BETA)-LACTAMASES, INCLUDING PENICILLINASES AND SOME CEPHALOSPORINASES.