Contraindications: Consult a doctor before taking cefazolin if you are allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics, or are currently taking other antibiotics, anticoagulants, probenecid, or kidney toxic agents. Cefazolin pills are high in sodium and may adversely impact those on a low sodium diet. Like other cephalosporin antibiotics, pseudomembranous colitis may result from its use.

To read more about cefazolin side effects, cefazoline dosage, and for more useful information about cefazolin, please click the product information link below.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Other names: Cefazoline, Cefazolina

 

Powder And Diluent For Injection Solution

The active ingredient of the vial is cefazolin. Each vial contains 1 gr of cefazolin sodium (I.N.N.).

The non-active ingredient is water for injection.

 

Cefazolin is available as a powder and diluent for injectable solution. Each pack contains one vial of cefazolin powder and one ampoule with 4 ml. of water for injection.

Cefazolin is a mediation that belongs to the group of cephalosporin antibiotics and is indicated in the treatment of the following infections when due to susceptible micro-organisms: respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, skin and soft-tissue, joint, heart, blood (septicemia) and to prevent infection prior to certain surgeries.

 

Do not use Cefazolin:

- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to cefazolin or other cephalosporin antibiotics.

 

Take special care with Cefazolin (Cefazoline, Cefazolina, Cephazolin):

- If you experience intense and persistent diarrhea it may be due to a special type of colitis called pseudomembranous colitis, which may be serious. In these cases your doctor will decide whether to discontinue treatment and what appropriate measures should be taken.

- Prolonged use of cefazolin may result in super-infection.

- When cefazolin is administered to patients with renal insufficiency, lower daily dosage may be recommended.

- If you are going to have a blood analysis you should inform the health care professional that you are taking this medication because cefazolin may interfere with the results.

 

Pregnancy:

If you are pregnant, your doctor will decide whether it is convenient for you to use this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before you take any medication.

 

 

Breastfeeding:

If you are breastfeeding, your doctor will decide whether it is convenient for you to use this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before you take any medication.

 

Driving and using machinery:

Cefazolin (Cefazoline, Cefazolina, Cephazolin) does not usually affect the ability to drive and use machinery.

 

Important information about some of the ingredients of Cefazolin

This medication contains 48 mg of sodium per gram of cefazolin and it may harm patients on a low-sodium diet.

 

Taking other medications:

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Cefazolin should not be taken concomitantly with:

- Other antibiotics that have a mechanism of action similar to that of tetracyclines, sulfonamides, erythromycin and chloramphenicol

- Anticoagulants

- Probenecid

- Kidney toxic agents

 

Follow these instructions unless your doctor has given you other indications. Cefazolin should be administered intravenously. Remember to take your medication. Your doctor will indicate the appropriate dose and determine the duration of your treatment. Do not discontinue the treatment before or take it for a longer period of time than recommended. When cefazolin is administered to patients with impaired renal or hepatic function, lower daily dosage may be required. In such case, inform your doctor so he / she adjusts your dose appropriately. The usual recommended dose is:

Adults and children over 12 years of age: in the case of mild infections 500 mg. every 8 hours; moderate to severe infections 500 mg to 1 g every 6 or 8 hours; severe, life-threatening infections 1 g to 1.5 g every 6 hours.

Children (under the age of 12 and over the age of 1): a total daily dosage of 25 to 50 mg/kg of body weight, divided into three or four equal doses, is effective for most mild to moderately severe infections. The total daily dosage should not exceed 100 mg/kg of body weight, not even for severe infections.

If you have been administered more Cefazolin than you should: consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

In the case of accidental overdose, consult your local poison control centre, indicate the medication and amount administered. Take this patient information leaflet with you.

 

 

Like all medicines, Cefazolin can cause side effects.

Allergic reactions: The most common reaction is skin lesions which may be diverse in appearance. Other possible reactions are itching, swelling of the face and diufficulty breathing. Blood disorders: decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Hepatic disorders: transient elevations of some liver enzymes (transaminase). Renal disorders: rise in blood urea levels which may indicate impaired renal function. Gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Central Nervous System disorders: dizziness, malaise, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, weakness and convulsions may be experienced. If you notice any other side effect not mentioned above, immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist.

 

Keep Cefazolin out of the reach and sight of children.

Protect from the light.

When the solution is reconstituted with the diluent, it is stable for a maximum of 8 hours at 25 degrees celcius and for a maximum of 24 hours if stored under refrigeration (2 – 8 degrees celcius).

 

Expiry:

Do not use Cefazolin after the expiry date indicated on the carton.

 

Prior to administration, intravenous medicines should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discolouration whenever solution and container permit. 

Continuous or intermittent intravenous infusion: Cefazolin may be administered along with primary intravenous fluid management programmes in a volume control set or in a separate secondary IV bottle. The reconstitution of 1 g of cefazolin may be done in its diluent (not in lidocaine) and then diluted in 50 to 100 ml of one of the following intravenous solutions: 0.9% codium chloride injection, 5% or 10% dextrose injection, 5% dextrose in Lactated Ringer's injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose, 0.45% sodium chloride injection and 5% dextrose, Lactated Ringer's injection and 5% or 10% invert sugar in sterile water for injection. 

Direct intravenous injection: Dilute the reconstituted 1 gr. of cefazolin in a minimum of 10 ml of sterile water. Inject solution slowly over a period of 3 to 5 minutes.