Description
Cefazolin injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body (eg, lungs, bladder, skin, bone and joints, and more). This medicine is also given before, during, or after certain types of surgery to prevent infections.
Cefazolin belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Powder for Solution
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the use of cefazolin injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 10 years of age before, during, or after surgery to prevent infections.
Because of cefazolin's toxicity, use in newborns and premature babies is not recommended.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefazolin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefazolin injection.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Rifampin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Warfarin
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Allergy to cephalosporins, beta-lactams, or penicillins, history of—Should not be used in patients with this condition.
- Diarrhea or
- Kidney disease or
- Liver disease or
- Undernourished condition or
- Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles or through an IV catheter that is placed into one of your veins. The medicine must be injected slowly, so the IV will need to stay in place for at least 30 minutes.
Precautions
Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If your or your child's symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, call your doctor right away.
Cefazolin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Diarrhea may occur 2 months or more after you stop receiving this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.
Tell healthcare providers you are using this medicine before you have any medical tests. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Bluish color
- changes in skin color
- pain
- swelling of the foot or leg
- tenderness
Incidence not known
- Back, leg, or stomach pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the stools
- bloody or cloudy urine
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- cloudy urine
- cough
- coughing up blood
- dark urine
- decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- diarrhea
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficult or painful urination
- difficulty with breathing or swallowing
- dizziness
- excessive muscle tone
- fast heartbeat
- feeling of discomfort
- fever
- general body swelling
- headache
- hives, itching, rash
- increased blood pressure
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- increased thirst
- inflammation of the joints
- itching of the vagina or genital area
- joint or muscle pain
- light-colored stools
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- muscle aches, stiffness, tension, or tightness
- nausea or vomiting
- nosebleeds
- pain during sexual intercourse
- pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs
- pale skin
- paralysis
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- problems with vision or hearing
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red or black, tarry stools
- red or dark brown urine
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- restlessness
- seizures
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stomach cramps or tenderness
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swollen or painful glands
- thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
- trouble sitting still
- troubled breathing
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight loss
- upper right abdominal or stomach pain
- vomiting
- vomiting of blood
- weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- redness of the skin
- sore mouth or tongue
- weight loss
- welts
- white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
CON-XXXXXXXX
