Cefotaxime
Trade name: claforan.
Class: Antibiotic "cephalosporines "(third generation). Pregnancy: (Category B)
Action: Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane,
causing cell death.
Uses:
• Pneumonia – GU tract infections - meningitis, Peritonitis,
septicemia, pelvic cellulitis – endometritis.
Dose
by intramuscular or intravenous injection or
by intravenous
infusion, 1 g every 12 hours increased in severe
infections (e.g. meningitis) to 8 g daily in 4 divided doses; higher
doses (up to 12 g daily in 3–4 divided doses) may be required; NEONATE 50 mg/kg daily in 2–4 divided doses increased
to 150–200 mg/kg daily in severe infections; CHILD 100–150
mg/kg daily in 2–4 divided doses increased up to 200 mg/kg daily in very severe
infections Gonorrhea, 500 mg as a single dose Contraindications:
• Hypersensitivity to cephalosporin or Penicillin.
Side effects:
CNS: seizures (high doses).
GI:
pseudomembraneous colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps, pseudolithiasis
(ceftriaxone).
Derm: rashes, urticaria.
Hemat: bleeding (increased with cefoperazone), blood
dyscrasias, hemolytic anemia.
Local: pain at IM site,
phlebitis at IV site.
Misc: allergic reactions
including anaphylaxis and serum sickness, super infection.
Nursing
considerations:
•
Should
not be mixed with amino glycosides. ( each should be given separately) For I.V. use, should be mixed
with 10 ml sterile water & administer over 3-5 minutes.
