Uses
Cefazolin injection is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria including skin, bone, joint, genital, blood, heart valve, respiratory tract (including pneumonia), biliary tract, and urinary tract infections. Cefazolin injection also may be used before, during, and sometimes for a brief period after surgery in order to prevent the patient from getting an infection. Cefazolin injection is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.
Antibiotics such as cefazolin injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects Of Cefazolin Injection
Cefazolin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- genital itching
- white patches in the mouth
- loss of appetite
- heartburn
- gas
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- headache
- dizziness
- confusion
- weakness
- tiredness
- drowsiness
- pain, redness, swelling, or bleeding near the place where cefazolin was injected
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking cefazolin injection and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
- rash
- hives
- itching
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- blistering, peeling, or shedding skin
- swelling in legs and feet
- decreased urination
- dark urine
- yellowing of skin or eyes
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- fainting
- a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
Cefazolin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking cefazolin injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefazolin; carbapenem antibiotics; other cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefazolin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention probenecid (Probalan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (a condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefazolin injection, call your doctor.
Dosage Of Cefazolin Injection
Cefazolin injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid, or as a premixed product, to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 30 minutes. Cefazolin injection can also be given intramuscularly (into a muscle). It is usually given every 6, 8, or 12 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have and how your body responds to the medication.
You may receive cefazolin injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving cefazolin injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefazolin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use cefazolin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using cefazolin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to cefazolin injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking cefazolin injection.
If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
