Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cefazolin for Injection (Hikma Canada)
What is Cefazolin for Injection used for?
Cefazolin for Injection is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria in many different parts of the body including the treatment of pneumonia.
Cefazolin for Injection can also be used to prevent infections, before and after surgery.
Antibacterial drugs like Cefazolin for Injection treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.
How does Cefazolin for Injection work?
Cefazolin for Injection is an antibiotic, which belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. Cefazolin for Injection works by killing bacteria which cause infections in the body.
What are the ingredients in Cefazolin for Injection?
Medicinal ingredients: cefazolin sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: none
Cefazolin for Injection comes in the following dosage forms:
Sterile powder for injection: 500 mg, 1 g and 10 g cefazolin per vial.
Do not use Cefazolin for Injection if:
- you have had an allergic reaction to Cefazolin for Injection or other medicines such as cephalosporins.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Cefazolin for Injection. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have had an allergic reaction to penicillins
- have a history of bowel disease, particularly colitis
- have gallbladder problems
- have kidney problems with or without liver problems
are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment
- are breastfeeding
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Cefazolin for Injection:
- Probenecid used in the treatment of gout.
How to take Cefazolin for Injection:
- Cefazolin for Injection will be given to you by your healthcare professional as an injection into either a vein or a muscle.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, Cefazolin for Injection should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of Cefazolin for Injection could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Cefazolin for Injection (resistance). This means that Cefazolin for Injection amy not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide how much Cefazolin for Injection to give you and how often.
Overdose:
If you think you have been given too much Cefazolin for Injection, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed dose:
If you miss an appointment to receive an injection of Cefazolin for Injection, contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
What are possible side effects from using Cefazolin for Injection?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Cefazolin for Injection. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- stomach cramps, loss of appetite
- rash, itching
- pain, tenderness or a hardened mass at the injection site
- vaginal and anal itching
Cefazolin for Injection can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and interpret the results.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Anemia: fatigue, loss of energy, weakness, shortness of breath | √ | ||
| Hypersensitivity: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing | √ | ||
| Liver disorder: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | √ | ||
| Oral candidiasis (yeast infection): creamy white bumps on the tongue, cheeks, gums or throat that bleed when scraped, pain, trouble swallowing, bad taste in the mouth | √ | ||
| Phlebitis: swelling of a vein near the injection site, with pain, tenderness, redness | √ | ||
| Platelet count increased: burning, redness, throbbing, numbness and/or tingling in the hands and feet, headache, dizziness, weakness, fainting, chest pain, vision changes | √ | ||
| Pseudomembranous colitis: watery, bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, abdominal cramps and pain, fever | √ | ||
| Vulvovaginal mycotic infection: vaginal itching, burning during intercourse or urination, pain, redness, swelling, discharge | √ | ||
| White blood cell count decreased: infection, fatigue, fever, aches, pain, flu-like symptoms | √ | ||
| Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs): | |||
| √ | ||
| Seizures (fit): uncontrollable shaking with or without loss of consciousness. You are more likely to experience this if you have kidney problems. | √ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting
(https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Cefazolin for Injection will be stored by your healthcare professional at room temperature (15ºC - 30ºC) and protected from light.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Cefazolin for Injection:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html, Hikma Canada’s website (https://www.hikma.com/canada), or by calling 1-800-656-0793