Cefazolin

Uses

Cefazolin is a 1st generation semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. It comes in a white to yellowish powder for injection form

Cefazolin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Bacterial Infections, Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections, Biliary tract infection bacterial, Bloodstream Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Catheter-related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) NOS, Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Endocarditis, Epididymitis, Genital infection, Infective Endocarditis, Osteoarticular Infections, Postoperative Infections, Prostatitis, Respiratory Tract Infection Bacterial, Skin and Soft Tissue Infections, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Bacterial Infections, Surgical Site Infections, Susceptible infections, Perioperative infection, Antibiotic pre-surgical prophylaxis

How Cefazolin works

In vitro tests demonstrate that the bactericidal action of cephalosporins results from inhibition of cell wall synthesis. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins.

Dosage

Cefazolin dosage

Usual Adult Dosage

• For moderate to severe infection dose is 500 mg to 1 gm and frequency is every 6 to 8 hours

• For mild infections caused by Gram positive cocci dose is 250 mg to m00 mg and frequency is every 8 hours

• For acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection dose is 1 gm and frequency is every 12 hours

• For pneumococcal pneumonia dose is 500 gm and frequency is every 12 hours

• For severe life threatening infections dose is 1 gm to 1.5 gm and frequency is every 6 hours

Perioperative Prophylactic dose: To prevent postoperative infection, the recommended doses are: I. 1 gm IV or IM administered 1/2 hour to 1 hour prior to the start of surgery II . For lengthy surgery (e.g. 2 hours or more), 500 mg to 1 gm IV or IM during surgery III. 500 mg to 1 gm IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours for 24 hours postoperatively

Intramuscular Administration: Reconstitute vials with sterile Water for Injection. Shake well until dissolved. Cefazolin should be injected into a large muscle mass

Intravenous Administration: For direct injection reconstitution, dilute vials with approximately 10 ml Sterile Water for Injection for 500 mg and 1 gm. Inject the solution slowly over 3 to 5 minutes. For continuous infusion dilute reconstituted in 50 to 100 mL of one of the following solutions: 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection,5% or 10% Dextrose Injection, 5% Dextrose and 0 .9% Sodium Chloride Injection.

Pediatric Dosage: In pediatric patients, a total daily dosage of 25 to 50 mg per kg of body weight, divided into 3 or 4 equal doses, is effective for most mild to moderately severe infections. Total daily dosage may be increased to 100 mg per kg of body weight for severe infections. Since safety of Cefazolin use in infants has not been established, it is not recommended

Side Effects

Swelling, redness, pain, or soreness at the injection site may occur. This medication may also rarely cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or headache

Precaution

When Cefazolin is administered to patients with impaired renal function, a lower daily dosage is required or otherwise, seizures may occur. it should be prescribed with caution in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.

Food Interaction

Cefazolin Hypertension interaction

[Moderate] Parenteral cefazolin sodium contains approximately 46 mg (2 mEq) of sodium per each gram of cefazolin activity.

The sodium content should be considered in patients with conditions that may require sodium restriction, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and fluid retention.

Cefazolin Drug Interaction

Unknown: epinephrine, epinephrine, hydromorphone, hydromorphone, lvp solution, enoxaparin, enoxaparin, acetaminophen / hydrocodone, sodium chloride, sodium chloride, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, acetaminophen / oxycodone, acetaminophen / oxycodone, acetaminophen, acetaminophen, cholecalciferol, cholecalciferol, ondansetron, ondansetron

Cefazolin Disease Interaction

Major: colitisModerate: renal dysfunction, sodium, dialysis, liver disease, seizure disorders

Elimination Route

Not absorbed from GI tract. Must be administered parenterally. Peak serum concentrations attained 1-2 hours post intramuscular injection.

Half Life

The serum half-life is approximately 1.8 hours following IV administration and approximately 2.0 hours following IM administration.

Elimination Route

Cefazolin is present in very low concentrations in the milk of nursing mothers. Cefazolin is excreted unchanged in the urine. In the first six hours approximately 60% of the drug is excreted in the urine and this increases to 70%-80% within 24 hours.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

There are no adequate studies in pregnant women for this drug so this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Cefazolin is present in very low concentrations in the milk of nursing mothers so caution should be exercised.

Interaction with other Medicine

Probenecid may decrease renal tubular secretion of Cefazolin, when used concurrently, resulting in increased Cefazolin blood levels

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