Cefotaxime

DAE Class; Cefotaxime Rx

Common Brand Names; Claforan

• Cephalosporins, 3rd Generation

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

Indicated for 

• Gonococcal Urethritis/Cervicitis

• Gonorrhea, Rectal

• Infections Caused by Susceptible Organisms

• Preparation for Surgery

Documented hypersensitivity to drug or components

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