Pronunciation:

sef-OX-i-tin

Brand Names:

• Mefoxin

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution
• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

2nd Generation Cephalosporin

Uses of This Medicine:

Cefoxitin injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine is also given before certain types of surgery to prevent infections.

Cefoxitin injection belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefoxitin injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 3 months old.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefoxitin injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefoxitin injection.

Breast-feeding—

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
• Diarrhea, severe, history of or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

If your symptoms or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Cefoxitin injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Changes in skin color

pain

swelling of the foot or leg

tenderness

Rare

Agitation

coma

confusion

decreased urine output

depression

dizziness

headache

hostility

irritability

lethargy

muscle twitching

nausea

rapid weight gain

seizures

stupor

swelling of the face, ankles, or hands

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding and bruising

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

bloody or cloudy urine

bloody, black, or tarry stools

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

cloudy urine

cough

coughing up blood

cracks in the skin

dark urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

diarrhea

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficult or labored breathing

difficult or painful urination

difficulty with breathing, chewing, swallowing, or talking

dizziness

double vision

drooping eyelids

fast heartbeat

feeling of discomfort

fever

general body swelling

greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine

headache

high fever

hives

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

increased thirst

inflammation of the joints

itching

itching of the vagina or genital area

joint or muscle pain

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

loss of appetite

loss of heat from the body

muscle aches

muscle weakness

nosebleeds

pain during sexual intercourse

pale skin

paralysis

prolonged bleeding from cuts

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

scaly skin

severe tiredness

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

swelling of the feet or lower legs

swollen lymph glands

swollen or painful glands

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing with exertion

unexplained bleeding or bruising

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual weight loss

vomiting

vomiting of blood

wheezing

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Red streaks on the skin

swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Incidence not known

Hives or welts

redness of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.