Cefotaxime
Cefotaxime is an antibiotic that can treat various types of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening ones. Some examples of infectious diseases that you can treat with this antibiotic include urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, pneumonia, meningitis, and osteomyelitis (bone infection).
Cefotaxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic that fights bacteria by killing and inhibiting their growth. In addition to treating bacterial infections, this antibiotic can also be used to prevent infections in people undergoing certain types of surgery. You need to know, this drug is not effective in treating viral infections, such as colds and flu.
Cefotaxime is available in injectable form only. Only doctors or medical personnel may administer this medication.
Benefits of Cefotaxime
Here are some of the benefits of using cefotaxime:
- Treats bacterial infections in various parts of the body
This type of antibiotic is quite effective in treating gonorrhea, meningitis, lower respiratory tract, and serious infections including kidney infections (pyelonephritis), urinary tract system, and sepsis.
- Preventing surgical infections
Doctors can also give this medication before, during, and after certain operations to prevent infection.
Cefotaxime Dosage
Cefotaxime can be given by a doctor through an injection into a muscle (intramuscular/IM) or as an infusion into a vein (intravenous/IV) as directed by the doctor. If the doctor injects it into a vein, do it slowly over at least 3 minutes to avoid possible serious side effects (such as irregular heartbeat).
In addition, the dosage of this antibiotic will be based on the medical condition and response to treatment. Here are the common doses of cefotaxime:
To treat gonorrhea
- Adults: 0.5 grams, single dose
To treat various bone infections, central nervous system, genital area, pelvis, stomach, respiratory tract, and skin infections.
- Adults: 1-2 grams every 8-12 hours, depending on the severity of the infection.
- Children under 1 month of age: 50 milligrams/kilogram of body weight every 8-12 hours, by IV injection.
- Children aged 1 month to 12 years weighing less than 50 kilograms: 50-180 milligrams/kilogram of body weight, divided into 4-6 doses, by IV/IM injection.
Prevent infection during surgery
- Adults: 1 gram, single dose via IV/IM injection, 30-90 minutes before the procedure begins.
How to Use Cefotaxime
The use of cefotaxime must be supervised by a doctor or medical professional. After treatment, the patient’s condition will be monitored by the doctor periodically to check the progress of the disease and how the drug works.
This way, your doctor can decide whether you need to continue treatment. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.
Caution on Use of Cefotaxime
Before using cefotaxime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or other antibiotics, such as penicillin, or if you have any other allergies. This medication may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, stomach or intestinal disease (such as colitis). Also tell your doctor about all the medicines you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
If you are going to have any immunization, tell your healthcare provider that you are taking cefotaxime. This is because antibiotics can cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work as well.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.
Cefotaxime Side Effects
In most people, cefotaxime does not cause serious side effects. Common side effects include swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site, fever, and an itchy rash. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Cefotaxime injection can also cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. However, do not take any medication for diarrhea before checking with your doctor first. This is because diarrhea can be a sign of a new infection.
In addition, there are also some serious side effects that can occur, including:
- Easy bruising or bleeding.
- Unusual fatigue.
- Mood swings, such as confusion.
- Seizures.
- Signs of kidney problems, such as changes in the amount of urine.
- Signs of liver problems, such as nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing eyes or skin)
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat.
Contact a doctor immediately if you experience the above side effects.
Cefotaxime Interactions
Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase the risk for serious side effects. Cefotaxime may interact with aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, or diuretics.
Interactions that can occur include increased toxic effects of drugs on the kidneys. In addition, the levels of these antibiotics can also increase if you use this drug together with probenecid.
Cefotaxime may also interfere with certain laboratory tests (including certain urine glucose tests), possibly causing false test results. Therefore, be sure to tell the lab personnel and your doctor if you are taking this medication.
Cefotaxime Contraindications
Doctors do not recommend this drug for someone who has a history of hypersensitivity after using cefotaxime or other cephalosporin antibiotics. Stop using the drug immediately if signs of hypersensitivity appear, such as skin rash, urticaria, or restlessness.