Cefotaxime injection
What is cefotaxime injection?
CEFOTAXIME (Claforan®) is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It treats many kinds of infections, including those of the skin, bone, stomach, brain, blood, respiratory tract, sinuses, ears, and urinary tract. Cefotaxime also treats some sexually transmitted diseases. Generic cefotaxime injections are available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive cefotaxime?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
bleeding problems
-
kidney disease
-
stomach or intestinal problems (especially colitis)
-
other chronic illness
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to cefotaxime, other cephalosporin antibiotics, penicillin, penicillamine, other foods, dyes or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Cefotaxime is for injection into a muscle or vein, or for infusion into a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with cefotaxime?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking cefotaxime?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in a few days.
If you are diabetic you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Having sex can infect your sexual partner.
What side effects may I notice from receiving cefotaxime?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
difficulty breathing, wheezing
-
dizziness
-
fever or chills, sore throat
-
pain or difficulty passing urine
-
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
severe or watery diarrhea
-
skin rash, itching
-
stomach pain or cramps
-
swollen joints
-
unusual bleeding or bruising
-
unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Let your prescriber or health care professional know about these effects if they do not go away or if they annoy you.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store the dry powder for injection below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F); keep away from heat and light.
Store the pre-frozen injection in a plastic container in a freezer at —20 degrees C (—4 degrees F). Thaw at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not force thaw. After thawing or reconstitution use within 24 hours if kept at room temperature, or ten days if refrigerated. Do not use if the solution is cloudy or if particulate matter is present. Do not refreeze. Follow manufacturers advice on storage of further diluted solutions.