Pronunciation:

sef-A-zoe-lin

Brand Names:

• Ancef

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

1st Generation Cephalosporin

Uses of This Medicine:

Cefazolin 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.

Cefazolin 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 cefazolin in children.

Because of cefazolin's toxicity, use in newborn and premature babies is not recommended.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefazolin 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 cefazolin.

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

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Warfarin

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:

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

• Kidney disease, severe or
• Liver disease, severe or
• Undernourished condition—May be worsened by cefazolin and you may need to take Vitamin K.

• Stomach or bowel disease (e.g., colitis or severe diarrhea), history of or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

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

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

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

Cefazolin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine 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 have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes calcium-containing solutions for injection, prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

Rare

Bluish color

changes in skin color

pain

swelling of the foot or leg

tenderness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

back, leg, or stomach pains

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

blood in the urine or stools

bloody or cloudy urine

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

cloudy urine

cough

coughing up blood

dark urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

decreased frequency or amount of urine

diarrhea

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficult or painful urination

difficulty with breathing or swallowing

dizziness

excessive muscle tone

fast heartbeat

feeling of discomfort

fever

general body swelling

general tiredness and weakness

headache

hives

increased blood pressure

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

increased thirst

inflammation of the joints

itching

itching of the vagina or genital area

joint or muscle pain

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle aches or stiffness

muscle tension or tightness

nausea or vomiting

nosebleeds

pain during sexual intercourse

pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs

pale skin

paralysis

pinpoint red spots on the skin

problems with vision or hearing

prolonged bleeding from cuts

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

rash

red irritated eyes

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

restlessness

seizures

skin rash

sore throat

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

stomach cramps

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

swelling of the face, fingers, 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

trouble sitting still

troubled breathing

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

upper right abdominal pain

vomiting

vomiting of blood

weight gain

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:

Incidence not known

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

hives or welts

redness of the skin

sore mouth or tongue

weight loss

white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

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.