Cefazolin

CEFAZOLIN SODIUM

Manufacturer: Baxter Healthcare Corporation

Score: 141.0

Quick Summary

Cefazolin is an antibacterial drug used to treat various infections, including respiratory, urinary, skin, and bone infections. It is a cephalosporin antibiotic that works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. The recommended dosing schedule varies depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's renal function. Cefazolin is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins or penicillins, and caution should be exercised when administering the drug to patients with renal impairment, pregnant or nursing women, and pediatric or geriatric patients.

Key Clinical Findings and Indications

Respiratory tract infections
Urinary tract infections
Skin and skin structure infections
Biliary tract infections
Bone and joint infections
Genital infections
Septicemia
Endocarditis
Perioperative prophylaxis

Important Safety Information

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)

Dosing Recommendations

General Guidance

Dose adjustments are necessary for patients with renal impairment.

Moderate to severe infections

Adult Dose

500 mg to 1 gram every 6 to 8 hours

Pediatric Dose

Not recommended for pediatric patients who require less than 250 mg

Mild infections caused by susceptible gram-positive cocci

Adult Dose

250 mg to 500 mg every 8 hours

Pediatric Dose

Not recommended for pediatric patients who require less than 250 mg

Acute, uncomplicated urinary tract infections

Adult Dose

1 gram every 12 hours

Pediatric Dose

Not recommended for pediatric patients who require less than 250 mg

Special Population Considerations

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