Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library cefotetan

cefotetan

Pronunciation: SEF oh TEE tan

Brand: Cefotan

What is the most important information I should know about cefotetan?

What is the most important information I should know about cefotetan?

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefotetan or other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefdinir, cefalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others).

What is cefotetan?

What is cefotetan?

Cefotetan is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic.

Cefotetan is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cefotetan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using cefotetan?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using cefotetan?

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefotetan or other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefdinir, cefalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • an allergy to any drug (especially penicillin);
  • intestinal problems, such as colitis; or
  • kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is cefotetan given?

How is cefotetan given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medicine guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Cefotetan is injected into a muscle, or as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

You may need to mix cefotetan with a liquid (diluent) before using it. Use only the diluent your doctor has recommended.

After mixing your medicine, you will need to use it within a certain number of hours or days. This will depend on the diluent and how you store the mixture (at room temperature, in a refrigerator, or frozen). When using injections by yourself, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions.

Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new 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. Cefotetan will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

If you are receiving this medication just before a surgery to prevent infection, you may be given only one dose.

You may need frequent blood tests.

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.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefotetan.

Store unmixed cefotetan at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze.

If your medicine was provided in a frozen form or was frozen after mixing, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Do not refreeze the medicine after use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

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 cefotetan?

What should I avoid while using cefotetan?

Drinking alcohol within 72 hours after using cefotetan can cause unpleasant side effects such as headache, sweating, fast heart rate, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

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 cefotetan?

What are the possible side effects of cefotetan?

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 eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with 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);
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
  • a seizure;
  • fever, weakness, confusion;
  • dark colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
  • kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting;
  • diarrhea; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

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 cefotetan?

What other drugs will affect cefotetan?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially another injected antibiotic.

Other drugs may affect cefotetan, 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?

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefotetan.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About The Cigna Group Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details