Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cefazolin in Dextrose Injection, USP
What CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP is used for:
CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP is used to treat certain bacterial infections in the:
- respiratory tract;
- urinary tract;
- bones and joints;
- skin and soft tissues;
- bloodstream (septicemia);
- inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves.
CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP can also be used to prevent infections, before and after surgery.
Antibacterial drugs like CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections, such as the common cold.
How CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP works:
CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called cephalosporins. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming their cell walls. .
The ingredients in CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP are:
Medicinal ingredient: cefazolin sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: dextrose hydrous, water for injection, sodium hydroxide / hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)
CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP comes in the following dosage forms:
Sterile solution: 20 mg / mL in 50 mL or 100 mL GALAXY plastic containers.
Do not receive CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP if:
you have had an allergic reaction to:
- cefazolin sodium, any other ingredient used to prepare CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP or components of the container; or
- other cephalosporin antibiotics.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you receive CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- are allergic to or react badly to penicillins or other antibiotics.
- have a history of bowel disease, particularly colitis (inflammation of the colon).
- have kidney problems.
are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- are breast-feeding or planning to breastfeed. Cefazolin may pass into breast milk.
- have previously had issues with blood clotting (bleeding), dietary deficiency (such as vitamin K deficiency); or have had liver / kidney issues or dietary deficiencies that have caused low levels of vitamin K.
Other warnings you should know about:
- CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP may interfere with some blood and urine test results. If you are given a blood or urine test, tell your healthcare professional that you are receiving treatment with CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP.
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 IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP:
Probenecid, used to treat gout.
How CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP is given:
- CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional as an injection into a vein.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP (resistance). This means that CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide how much CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP to give you and how often.
Overdose:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have been given too much CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Missed dose:
If you miss a scheduled treatment, talk to your healthcare professional as soon as possible to find out what to do.
Possible side effects from using CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when receiving CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects with CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP 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
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Common | |||
| Thrombocythemia (high levels of platelets): burning, redness, throbbing, numbness and/or tingling in the hands and feet, headache, dizziness, weakness, fainting, chest pain, vision changes | √ | ||
| Pseudomembranous colitis (advanced inflammation of the colon): watery, bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, abdominal cramps and pain, fever | √ | ||
| Phlebitis (swelling of a vein near the injection site): pain, tenderness, redness | √ | ||
| Rare | |||
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
| √ | ||
| Unknown | |||
| Allergic reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing | √ | ||
| Anemia (low levels of red blood cells): fatigue, pale skin, loss of energy, weakness, shortness of breath | √ | ||
| Bleeding disorders: bruising or bleeding longer than usual, black stool or blood in stool, bleeding in surgical wounds or in your catheter, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, confusion, dizziness, seizures, loss of consciousness. | √ | ||
| Seizures (fits): uncontrollable shaking with or without loss of consciousness. You are more likely to experience this if you have kidney problems. | √ | ||
| Liver disorder: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | √ | ||
| Neutropenia/leukopenia (low levels of white blood cells): infection, fatigue, fever, aches, pain, flu-like symptoms | √ | ||
| 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 | √ | ||
| Vaginal yeast infection: vaginal itching, burning during intercourse or urination, pain, redness, swelling, discharge | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell 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 (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP frozen bags will be stored by your healthcare professional at or below -20°C and thawed at room temperature (25⁰C) or under refrigeration (5⁰C) prior to administration.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CEFAZOLIN IN DEXTROSE INJECTION, USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.baxter.ca; or by calling 1-888-719-9955.
Last Revised: 2026-04-23
Baxter and Galaxy are registered trademarks of Baxter International Inc.