Cefotaxime
Description
Cefotaxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections affecting the lungs, joint, bone, blood, skin, and urinary tract - the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. It is also used to treat a sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea bacteria that infects both men and women. This medicine kills or stops the growth of bacteria causing the infection. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses.
Common side effects of Cefotaxime are diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Do not take this medicine if you are previously allergic to it.
Cefotaxime is available on prescription as a tablet, injection, and powder for suspension. Take this medication with or without food. For ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. Cefotaxime should only be used to treat or prevent infections that are caused by bacteria. Taking an antibiotic when it is not required can make it less effective for future infections.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cefotaxime
- Stomach pain
- Black or tarry stools
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Increased heartbeat
- Skin rash
- Difficult or painful urination
- Blurred vision
- Fever with chills
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Pain at the injection site
Uses of Cefotaxime
What is it prescribed for?
- Bacterial Septicemia
- Gonorrhoea
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Bacteremia
- Surgical prophylaxis
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Intra-abdominal Infections
- Bone and Joint infections
- Skin and Soft tissue infections
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe exact time taken for cefotaxime to show its action is not clear. You will start to feel better in 3 to 5 days. However, this medicine may take some days to kill bacteria. Therefore finish your entire course of treatment, even if your condition gets better.
- Duration of effectThe effect of cefotaxime lasts for an average duration of 12 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Cefotaxime.
- Usage in pregnancy?Cefotaxime is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when taken/received by pregnant women. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Cefotaxime is may be safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
Allergy
Avoid taking Cefotaxime if you are previously allergic to it. Some patients may get allergic reactions to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Cefotaxime is generally safe in pregnancy to treat bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects when taken/received by pregnant women. Hence it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Cefotaxime is may be safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence it should only be used if the benefit is greater than the risk of harm to the baby. If used, the baby should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.
General warnings
Antibiotic resistance
Finish your entire course of treatment with Cefotaxime, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics). If you still feel unwell after completing your antibiotic course, make an appointment to consult your doctor.
Sodium
Cefotaxime contains sodium in it and therefore it should be used with caution in patients with conditions that may require sodium restriction, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), and fluid retention.
Diarrhoea
Cefotaxime can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Get emergency medical help if you experience severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.
Allergic reactions
Cefotaxime is likely to cause allergic skin reactions in some people. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, or severe itching/swelling, especially on the face.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Try not to skip a dose of cefotaxime. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose.
Injection: Since cefotaxime is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
Injection: Since cefotaxime is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Amikacin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cholera Vaccine
Furosemide
Disease interactions
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Cefotaxime can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and leads to diarrhoea. Therefore use this medicine with extreme caution in patients with gastrointestinal (mouth to anus) diseases, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), since it may worsen the patient's condition.
Seizure disorders
A seizure is a brain disorder that occurs due to sudden neurological disturbances which results mainly in behavioural changes. Use Cefotaxime with caution in patients with seizures or fits because it can trigger the condition. Seizure medicines should be continued in patients with a known seizure disorder. Dose adjustment for Cefotaxime might be required in some patients.
Kidney disease
Cefotaxime is filtered by the kidney and moved out of the body through urine. Patients with kidney dysfunction need special consideration while receiving/taking Cefotaxime due to the increased risk of kidney damage. Dose adjustment should be done based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
Cefotaxime may increase liver enzyme levels and cause liver swelling. Patients with liver diseases need special consideration while taking Cefotaxime due to the risk of liver damage. Dose adjustment should be done based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take cefotaxime with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at around the same time daily. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Your doctor will determine an appropriate cefotaxime dosage based on your clinical condition.
Injection: Cefotaxime should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Cefotaxime works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Third generation cephalosporins, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Cefotaxime 2g Powder for solution for injection or infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Cefotaxime. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CEFOTAXIME injection. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Cefotaxime Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Cefotaxime | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 March 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Mar 2021
Disclaimer
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