Cefazolin
Drug name: Cefazolin
Other names used:
- Ancef®
- Cefacidal®
- Cefamezin®
- Cefrina®
- Elzogram®
- Kefazol®
- Kefol®
- Kefzol®
- Kefzolan®
- Kezolin®
- Novaporin®
- Zolicef®
Active Ingredients:
cefazolin
Therapeutic actions: Cefazolin, also known as cefazoline or cephazolin, is a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic.
The drug is usually administrated either by intramuscular injection (injection into a large muscle) or intravenous infusion (intravenous fluid into a vein).
Indications: Cefazolinis mainly used to treat bacterial infections of the skin. It can also be used to treat moderately severe bacterial infections involving the lung, bone, joint, stomach, blood, heart valve, and urinary tract. It is effective only against infections caused by staphylococci and streptococci species of bacteria. These organisms are common on normal human skin. Resistance to cefazolin is seen in several species of bacteria.
Contraindications and cautions: Before administering cefazolin,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefazolin, any other cephalosporin [e.g., cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil (Duricef), or cephalexin (Keflex)], penicillins, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal disease (especially colitis).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefazolin, call your doctor.
- if you have Diabetes and regularly check your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape. Do not use Clinitest tablets because cefazolin may cause false positive results.
Adverse effects: Cefazolin may cause side effects. If you are administering cefazolin into a muscle, it may be mixed with lidocaine (Xylocaine) to reduce pain at the injection site. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain
- upset stomach
- vomiting
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:
- skin rash
- itching
- hives
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- difficulty breathing
- sore mouth or throat
Interactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine.
Before using cefazolin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines
- probenecid (Benemid);
- a loop Diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide, bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide (Demadex), or ethacrynic acid (Edecrin);
- warfarin (Coumadin); or
- another antibiotic.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.
