Cefotaxime

Cefotaxime is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the brain, lungs, ear, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, bones and joints, blood and heart. It is also used to prevent infections during surgery. Cefotaxime fights and stops the growth of many types of bacteria. This helps to improve your symptoms and cure the underlying infection. It is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) or as an injection directly into a vein or a muscle under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. You should use this medicine regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening. The most common side effects of this medicine include rash and diarrhoea. Some people may develop temporary redness or pain at the site of injection. These side effects are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days. Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics, and if you have any liver or kidney problems. You should also let your healthcare team know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.

Cefotaxime is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

• Septicemia
• Respiratory Tract Infections (acute/chronic bronchitis, bacterial pneumonia)
• Urinary Tract Infections (pyelonephritis, cystitis)
• Soft-tissue Infections (cellulitis, peritonitis)
• Bone and Joint Infections (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis)
• Obstetric and Gynaecological Infections (pelvic inflammatory disease)
• Gonorrhoea
• Meningitis
• Surgical Prophylaxis

Cefotaxime is a broad spectrum bactericidal 3rd generation parenteral cephalosporin antibiotic. Cefotaxime is exceptionally active against gram-negative organisms sensitive or resistant to first or second generation cephalosporins. It is similar to other cephalosporins in activity against gram-positive bacteria.

Cefotaxime binds to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell wall, thus inhibiting biosynthesis and arresting cell wall assembly resulting in bacterial cell death.

Adult Dose:

Surgical Prophylaxis: 1 g 30-90 mins before procedure.

Gonorrhoea: 0.5-1 g as a single dose.

Pediatric Dose: 50-180 mg/kg/day (q6-8h); Meningitis: 200-225 mg/kg/day (q6h).

Neonates: 50 mg/kg/day (2-4 divided doses); Severe infections: 150-200 mg/kg/day.

Renal Dose: Severe renal impairment: After initial loading dose of 1 g, half the daily dose (frequency unchanged).

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

If you miss a dose of Cefotaxime, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Rash
• Allergic reaction
• Nausea
• Injection site reaction
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Increased liver enzymes

• [UNSAFE] Cefotaxime may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
• Your doctor has prescribed Cefotaxime to cure your infection and improve your symptoms. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection harder to treat.
• Discontinue Cefotaxime and inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or have difficulty in breathing.
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools.
• Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cefotaxime as it may cause increased side effects.
• Cefotaxime should be prescribed with caution in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.
• Administration of high doses of cephalosporins particularly in patients with renal insufficiency may result in encephalopathy.

• Hypersensitivity to cefotaxime or the cephalosporin group of antibiotics.

Probenecid decreases cefotaxime elimination. Nephrotoxicity with furosemide and aminoglycosides. Increased nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of cephalosporins and aminoglycoside antibiotics.

[SAFE] Consuming alcohol with Cefotaxime does not cause any harmful side effects.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cefotaxime is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies. Pregnancy Category B. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, especially during the first trimester after weighing the expected benefit against possible risks.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cefotaxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Cefotaxime is excreted in breast milk. Avoid prolonged use of Cefotaxime, since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.

The usual dosage range for children is 100-150 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. In very severe infections doses up to 200 mg/kg/day may be required. Neonates: 50 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses; severe infections: 150-200 mg/kg/day.

Reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range.

[CAUTION] Cefotaxime should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cefotaxime may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of kidney function may be advised while you are taking this medicine. In severe renal failure (GFR<5 ml/min), after an initial loading dose of 1 g, daily dose should be halved without change in frequency.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cefotaxime is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Cefotaxime is recommended.

Information on Cefotaxime overdosage is not available.

Store below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. Use reconstituted solution immediately. Reconstituted solution is stable for up to 24 h if stored between 2° to 8°C.

Cefotaxime Sodium