cefotaxime

Generic Name: cefotaxime (SEF oh TAX eem)

Brand names: Claforan, Claforan ADD-Vantage

What is cefotaxime?

Cefotaxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cefotaxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. Cefotaxime is also used to prevent infections in people having surgery.

Cefotaxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about cefotaxime?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime or to similar antibiotics, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a heart rhythm disorder.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefotaxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefotaxime.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using cefotaxime?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

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  cefaclor (Raniclor);

  
  


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  cefadroxil (Duricef);

  
  


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  cefazolin (Ancef);

  
  


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  cefdinir (Omnicef);

  
  


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  cefditoren (Spectracef);

  
  


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  cefpodoxime (Vantin);

  
  


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  cefprozil (Cefzil);

  
  


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  ceftibuten (Cedax);

  
  


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  cefuroxime (Ceftin);

  
  


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  cephalexin (Keflex); or

  
  


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  cephradine (Velosef).

  
  

To make sure you can safely use cefotaxime, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  allergy to penicillin;

  
  


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  kidney disease;

  
  


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  liver disease;

  
  


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  a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;

  
  


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  diabetes; or

  
  


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  a heart rhythm disorder.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cefotaxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use cefotaxime?

Cefotaxime is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. It is sometimes given through a central IV line placed into a large vein in your chest. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.

Cefotaxime must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.

Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Cefotaxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefotaxime.

If your medicine is frozen when you receive it, keep it frozen until you are ready to use the medicine. It is best to store the medicine in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0.

To use the medicine, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Keep thawed medicine in the refrigerator and use it within 10 days after thawing it. Do not refreeze thawed medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you are receiving this medication at a clinic, call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include weakness, cold feeling, pale skin, blue lips, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using cefotaxime?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using cefotaxime and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Cefotaxime side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

  
  


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  skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

  
  


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  uneven heartbeats;

  
  


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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

  
  


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  easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

  
  


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  seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

  
  


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  jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  pain, irritation, or a hard lump where the injection was given;

  
  


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  stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  headache; or

  
  


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  vaginal itching or discharge.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Cefotaxime Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Bacteremia:

1 to 2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 14 days
Oral antibiotics may be substituted for the duration once the patient is able to tolerate oral medications.

Usual Adult Dose for Cesarean Section:

1 g IV as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped
The second and third doses should be given as 1 g IV or IM at 6 and 12 hours after the first dose.

Cefotaxime is not recommended for routine prophylaxis. Cefazolin is considered the drug of choice.

Usual Adult Dose for CNS Infection:

2 g IV every 4 to 6 hours

Usual Adult Dose for Endometritis:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 8 hours
Duration: Parenteral therapy should be continued for at least 24 hours after the patient has remained afebrile, pain free, and the leukocyte count has normalized. Doxycycline therapy for 14 days is recommended if concurrent chlamydial infection is present in late postpartum patients (breast-feeding should be discontinued).

Usual Adult Dose for Epiglottitis:

2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 7 to 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Gonococcal Infection -- Disseminated:

1 g IV every 8 hours

Duration: Parenteral therapy should be continued for 24 to 48 hours after clinical improvement is demonstrated. Oral therapy with cefixime or cefpodoxime should then be continued to complete a total course of at least 1 week.

Doxycycline therapy for 7 days (if not pregnant) or single dose azithromycin is also recommended to treat possible concurrent chlamydial infection.

The patient's sexual partner(s) should also be evaluated/treated.

This regimen is recommended as an alternative regimen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Usual Adult Dose for Gonococcal Infection -- Uncomplicated:

Uncomplicated infections of the cervix, urethra, or rectum: 500 mg IM as a single dose
Rectal gonorrhea, males: 500 mg or 1 g IM as a single dose

Doxycycline therapy for 7 days (if not pregnant) or single dose azithromycin is also recommended to treat possible concurrent chlamydial infection.

The patient's sexual partner(s) should also be evaluated/treated.

This regimen is recommended as an alternative regimen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 7 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Joint Infection:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the nature and severity of the infection
Longer therapy, 6 weeks or more, may be required for prosthetic joint infections. In addition, removal of the involved prosthesis is usually required.

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease -- Arthritis:

2 g IV every 8 hours
Duration: 14 to 28 days
An additional 4-week course of oral antibiotics or a 2 to 4 week course of ceftriaxone may be necessary if the patient continues to have joint swelling.

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease -- Carditis:

2 g IV every 8 hours
Duration: 14 to 21 days

Usual Adult Dose for Lyme Disease -- Neurologic:

2 g IV every 8 hours
Duration: 14 to 28 days

Usual Adult Dose for Meningitis:

2 g IV every 4 to 6 hours, depending on the nature and severity of the infection
Duration: Approximately 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

Usual Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 4 to 6 weeks
Chronic osteomyelitis may require additional oral antibiotic therapy, possibly for up to 6 months.

Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: Approximately 14 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

Alternatively, for treatment of mild pelvic inflammatory disease on an outpatient basis, a single 500 mg IM dose of cefotaxime, followed by oral doxycycline therapy with or without metronidazole, may be given.

Doxycycline therapy for 14 days (if not pregnant) is also recommended to treat possible concurrent chlamydial infection. Azithromycin is active against chlamydia and may be considered for pregnant patients.

The patient's sexual partner(s) should also be evaluated/treated.

Usual Adult Dose for Peritonitis:

1 to 2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 5 to 14 days

Peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis:
Continuous: 500 mg/2 L exchange intraperitoneally
Intermittent: 2 g/ 2 L exchange intraperitoneally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 7 to 21 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 8 to 12 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Salmonella Gastroenteritis:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 8 hours
Duration: 14 days, or longer in immunocompromised patients

Usual Adult Dose for Septicemia:

2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Sepsis:

2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours
Maximum dose: 2 g IV every 4 hours
Duration: 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 8 to 12 hours
Duration: 7 to 10 days; up to 14 to 21 days treatment may be required for severe infections such as diabetic soft tissue infections

Vibrio vulnificus: 2 g IV every 8 hours plus doxycycline 100 mg IV or orally every 12 hours or ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12 hours

Usual Adult Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis:

1 g IM or IV 30 to 90 minutes prior to start of surgery

Cefotaxime with ampicillin is recommended for liver transplantation prophylaxis. Third generation cephalosporins are generally not recommended for routine prophylaxis in other procedures.

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

1 to 2 g IV or IM every 12 hours
Duration: 3 to 7 days for uncomplicated infections and up to 2 or 3 weeks for complicated infections (e.g., catheter-related)

Parenteral therapy is generally not indicated for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and other agents are generally recommended for complicated infections.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lyme Disease:

Early Lyme disease with neurologic involvement, Lyme arthritis with neurologic involvement, or late neuroborreliosis:
1 month or older: 150 to 200 mg/kg/day IV in 3 or 4 divided doses
Maximum dose: 6 g/day
Duration: 14 to 28 days

13 years or older: Use adult dosage.

What other drugs will affect cefotaxime?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  probenecid (Benemid); or

  
  


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  any other injected antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with cefotaxime. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More cefotaxime resources

• Cefotaxime Side Effects (in more detail)
• Cefotaxime Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Cefotaxime Drug Interactions
• Cefotaxime Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Cefotaxime - Add your own review/rating

• cefotaxime Injection Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Cefotaxime MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Cefotaxime Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cefotaxime Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Claforan Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare cefotaxime with other medications

• Bacteremia
• Bone infection
• Cesarean Section
• CNS Infection
• Endometritis
• Epiglottitis
• Gonococcal Infection, Disseminated
• Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated
• Intraabdominal Infection
• Joint Infection
• Kidney Infections
• Lyme Disease
• Lyme Disease, Arthritis
• Lyme Disease, Carditis
• Lyme Disease, Neurologic
• Meningitis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Peritonitis
• Pneumonia
• Salmonella Gastroenteritis
• Sepsis
• Septicemia
• Skin Infection
• Surgical Prophylaxis
• Urinary Tract Infection

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefotaxime.

See also: cefotaxime side effects (in more detail)