Cefazolin

Warning

Cefazolin is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins or penicillins.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to cefazolin or other cephalosporin class antibacterial drugs, penicillins or other beta-lactams

Adverse Reactions

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, urticaria, skin rash)

General Guidance

Dose adjustments are necessary for patients with renal impairment.

Pregnancy

• Cefazolin is classified as Pregnancy Category B
• Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice, and rabbits at doses of 2000, 4000 and 240 mg/kg/day or 1-3 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis

Nursing Mothers

• Cefazolin is present in very low concentrations in the milk of nursing mothers
• Caution should be exercised when cefazolin is administered to a nursing woman

Pediatric Use

• Cefazolin for Injection USP, Pharmacy Bulk Package bag, SmartPak should not be used in pediatric patients who require less than 250 mg
• The safety and effectiveness of cefazolin in pediatric patients have not been established

Geriatric Use

• Of the 920 subjects who received cefazolin in clinical studies, 313 (34%) were 65 years and over, while 138 (15%) were 75 years and over
• No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects
• Greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out