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What is cefotaxime injection?
Cefotaxime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Cefotaxime injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. Cefotaxime is also used to prevent infections in people having surgery. Cefotaxime may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of cefotaxime injection?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• severe pain, irritation, or skin changes where the needle was placed;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• uneven heartbeats;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• pain, irritation, or hardening where the injection was given;

• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

• headache; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I use cefotaxime injection?
Cefotaxime is given as an injection into a muscle or a vein. It is sometimes given through a central IV line placed into a large vein in your chest. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, syringes, and other items used in giving the medicine. Use the medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

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What is the most important information I should know about cefotaxime injection?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a heart rhythm disorder. Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefotaxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. If you are receiving this medication at a clinic, call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your injection.

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What other drugs will affect cefotaxime injection?
Before using cefotaxime, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use cefotaxime, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect cefotaxime. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Cefotaxime has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Cefotaxime should only be given during human pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

Cefotaxime is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Cefotaxime is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering cefotaxime to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to cefotaxime or other cephalosporins.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a cefotaxime overdose may include weakness, cold feeling, pale skin, blue lips, or seizure (convulsions).

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What should I discuss with my health care provider before using cefotaxime injection?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as: cefaclor (Ceclor); cefadroxil (Duricef); cefdinir (Omnicef); cefditoren (Spectracef); cefixime (Suprax); cefprozil (Cefzil); ceftazidime (Fortaz); cefuroxime (Ceftin); cephalexin (Keflex); and others. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have: kidney disease; liver disease; a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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