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Cefotaxime

    Cefotaxime (CLAFORAN) Uses, Side Effects, Dosage

    Cefotaxime is Parenteral third-generation cephalosporin

    DAE Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Claforan

    Parenteral third-generation cephalosporin

    Not effective for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

    Used commonly for enteric gram-negative meningitis and sepsis, serious bacteremias, pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, and skin and skin structure infections

    Cefotaxime used for 

    • Gonococcal Urethritis/Cervicitis

    • Gonorrhea, Rectal

    • Infections Caused by Susceptible Organisms

    • Preparation for Surgery

    Documented hypersensitivity to drug or components

    Common side effects:

    • Colitis
    • Diarrhea
    • Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine
    • Elevated hepatic transaminases
    • Eosinophilia
    • Fever
    • Injection site pain
    • Nausea
    • Pruritus
    • Rash
    • Thrombocytopenia
    • Transient neutropenia
    • Vomiting

    Potentially life-threatening arrhythmia reported in patients receiving rapid bolus injection through central venous catheter

    Prolonged treatment has been associated with granulocytopenia (>10 days)

    Change infusion sites to minimize inflammation

    Use with caution in patients with history of penicillin allergy

    Use with caution in patients with history of colitis

    Bacterial or fungal overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms may occur with prolonged or repeated therapy

    May need to adjust dose in renal impairment

    Cefotaxime may potentiate the nephrotoxic effects of nephrotoxic drugs, including aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, and furosemide

    Pregnancy category: B

    Lactation: Drug enters breast milk; use with caution

    Adults

    12 g/day IV/IM.

    Geriatric

    12 g/day IV/IM.

    Adolescents

    12 g/day IV/IM.

    Children

    Weighing 50 kg or more: 12 g/day IV/IM.
    Weighing less than 50 kg: 180 mg/kg/day IV/IM is FDA-approved maximum; however, doses up to 300 mg/kg/day (Max: 12 g/day) have been used off-label for meningitis.

    Infants

    180 mg/kg/day IV/IM is FDA-approved maximum; however, doses up to 300 mg/kg/day have been used off-label for meningitis.

    Neonates

    8 days and older: 150 mg/kg/day IV/IM is FDA-approved maximum; however, doses up to 200 mg/kg/day have been used off-label for meningitis.
    0 to 7 days: 100 mg/kg/day IV/IM is FDA-approved maximum; however, doses up to 150 mg/kg/day have been used off-label for meningitis.

    Cefotaxime dosage form and strenght

    injectable solution

    • 20mg/mL
    • 40mg/mL

    powder for injection

    • 500mg
    • 1g
    • 2g
    • 10g