Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Ancef

Descriptions


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

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

  1. Bluish color
  2. changes in skin color
  3. pain
  4. swelling of the foot or leg
  5. tenderness

Incidence not known

  1. Back, leg, or stomach pains
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bleeding gums
  4. blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  5. bloating
  6. blood in the urine or stools
  7. bloody or cloudy urine
  8. chest pain or tightness
  9. chills
  10. clay-colored stools
  11. cloudy urine
  12. cough
  13. coughing up blood
  14. dark urine
  15. decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
  16. decreased frequency or amount of urine
  17. diarrhea
  18. diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
  19. difficult or painful urination
  20. difficulty with breathing or swallowing
  21. dizziness
  22. excessive muscle tone
  23. fast heartbeat
  24. feeling of discomfort
  25. fever
  26. general body swelling
  27. general tiredness and weakness
  28. headache
  29. hives
  30. increased blood pressure
  31. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  32. increased thirst
  33. inflammation of the joints
  34. itching
  35. itching of the vagina or genital area
  36. joint or muscle pain
  37. light-colored stools
  38. loss of appetite
  39. lower back or side pain
  40. muscle aches or stiffness
  41. muscle tension or tightness
  42. nausea or vomiting
  43. nosebleeds
  44. pain during sexual intercourse
  45. pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs
  46. pale skin
  47. paralysis
  48. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  49. problems with vision or hearing
  50. prolonged bleeding from cuts
  51. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  52. rash
  53. red irritated eyes
  54. red or black, tarry stools
  55. red or dark brown urine
  56. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  57. red, irritated eyes
  58. restlessness
  59. seizures
  60. skin rash
  61. sore throat
  62. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  63. stomach cramps or tenderness
  64. sudden decrease in the amount of urine
  65. swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
  66. swollen lymph glands
  67. swollen or painful glands
  68. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
  69. trouble sitting still
  70. troubled breathing
  71. unpleasant breath odor
  72. unusual bleeding or bruising
  73. unusual tiredness or weakness
  74. unusual weight loss
  75. upper right abdominal pain
  76. vomiting
  77. vomiting of blood
  78. weight gain
  79. 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

  1. 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
  2. hives or welts
  3. redness of the skin
  4. sore mouth or tongue
  5. weight loss
  6. 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.