What is the most important information I should know about cefazolin?
You should not use cefazolin if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of cephalosporin antibiotic (Omnicef, Keflex, and others).
What is cefazolin?
Cefazolin is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that is is used to treat bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. Cefazolin is also used to help prevent infection in people having certain types of surgery.
Cefazolin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using cefazolin?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefazolin or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
- cefaclor;
- cefadroxil;
- cefdinir;
- cefditoren;
- cefpodoxime;
- cefprozil;
- ceftibuten;
- cefuroxime;
- cephalexin; or
- cephradine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or
- an allergy to any type of penicillin.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How is cefazolin given?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Cefazolin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Cefazolin may need to be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Cefazolin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefazolin.
Store unmixed cefazolin at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
After mixing cefazolin with a diluent, store the mixture in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Take the mixture out of the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before injecting your dose. Mixed medicine must be used within a certain number of days once it reaches room temperature. Carefully follow all mixing and storage instructions for this medicine.
Do not use the medicine if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medication.
Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of cefazolin.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using cefazolin?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.
What are the possible side effects of cefazolin?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
- fever, swollen glands, rash or itching, joint pain, or general ill feeling;
- seizure (convulsions); or
-
liver problems --upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- rash; or
- an allergic reaction.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect cefazolin?
Other drugs may affect cefazolin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefazolin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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