Cefazolin Dosage & Rx Info | Uses, Side Effects

Cefazolin Generic Name & Formulations

Legal Class

General Description

Cefazolin (as sodium) 500mg/vial, 1g/vial, 2g/vial, 3g/vial; pwd for IM or IV inj or IV infusion after reconstitution and dilution; sodium content 48mg/g cefazolin.

Pharmacological Class

Cephalosporin.

How Supplied

Contact supplier.

Manufacturer

Various generic manufacturers

Mechanism of Action

Cefazolin, a cephalosporin, is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Cefazolin Indications

Indications

Susceptible bacterial infections including septicemia, respiratory, biliary or GU tract, skin and skin structure, bone and joint, endocarditis. Surgical prophylaxis.

Cefazolin Dosage and Administration

Adult

Pneumococcal pneumonia: 500mg every 12 hours. Mild infections: 250–500mg every 8 hours; moderate to severe infections: 500mg–1g every 6–8 hours. Severe, life-threatening infections (eg, endocarditis, septicemia): 1–1.5g every 6 hours; max 12g/day. UTIs: 1g every 12 hours. Prophylaxis: see literature. Renal impairment (give initial loading dose): (CrCl 35–54mL/min): reduce dosing frequency to at least 8 hour intervals; (CrCl 11–34mL/min): reduce dose by 50%, give every 12 hours; (CrCl <10mL/min): reduce dose by 50%, give every 18–24 hours. Peritoneal dialysis: see literature.

Children

<1 (treatment) or <10yrs (prophylaxis): not established. ≥1 month: Mild to moderate infections: 25–50mg/kg per day in 3–4 divided doses; severe infections: may increase to100mg/kg per day in 3–4 divided doses. Prophylaxis: see literature. Renal impairment (give initial loading dose): (CrCl 40–70mL/min): reduce dose by 40%; give every 12 hours; (CrCl 20–40mL/min): reduce dose by 75%, give every 12 hours; (CrCl 5–20mL/min): reduce dose by 90%, give every 24 hours.

Cefazolin Contraindications

Not Applicable

Cefazolin Boxed Warnings

Not Applicable

Cefazolin Warnings/Precautions

Warnings/Precautions

Penicillin or other allergy. Renal impairment: reduce dose. Seizure disorders discontinue if occurs or adjust dose. GI disease (esp. colitis). Monitor PT in patients at risk (eg, renal or hepatic impairment, poor nutritional state, long term use, or anticoagulant therapy). Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.

Cefazolin Pharmacokinetics

Elimination

Renal. Half-life: ~1.8 hours.

Cefazolin Interactions

Interactions

Potentiated by probenecid: not recommended. May cause false (+) Clinitest, Benedict's, Coomb’s or Fehling's soln.

Cefazolin Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reactions

GI upset, anaphylaxis, rash, pruritus, local reactions, blood dyscrasias, elevated liver enzymes.

Cefazolin Clinical Trials

See Literature

Cefazolin Note

Notes

Formerly known under the brand names Ancef, Kefzol.

Cefazolin Patient Counseling