Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP
What is Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP used for?
Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP may be used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria including:
- pneumonia and other lung infections,
- urinary tract infections
- skin infections and
- certain brain and spinal cord infections.
- Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP may be used to prevent certain infections in patients undergoing surgery.
- Antibacterial drugs like Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections such as the common cold.
How does Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP work?
Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP is an antibiotic that works by killing certain bacteria.
What are the ingredients in Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP?
Medicinal ingredients: Cefotaxime sodium.
Non-medicinal ingredients: None
Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP comes in the following dosage forms:
Powder for solution, in vials containing 500 mg, 1.0 g and 2.0 g of cefotaxime sodium.
Do not use Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP if:
have had hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions to:
- cefotaxime sodium, or
- other antibiotics like cephalosporin, or penicillin
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have colon (large intestine) problems
- have blood disorders like hemolytic anemia
- have kidney problems
- are allergic to any drug
are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP transfers to your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about how to feed your baby while taking Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP
- are pregnant or think you are pregnant
Other warnings you should know about:
You may feel dizzy after receiving Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection BP. This means that you may not be able to concentrate or react quickly. Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy.
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 Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP:
- Probenecid
- Cephalosporins
- Furosemide
- Aminoglycosides
Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP may affect certain blood test results. If you need to take a blood test, tell your doctor that you may have recently received Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP.
How to take Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP:
- Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP will be given to you by a healthcare professional as an injection into the vein (intravenous injection) or into the muscle (intramuscular injection) after dissolving it in sterile water.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP could lead to growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP (resistance). This means that Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide how much, how often and how long you will receive Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP. This will be based on the severity and type of infection and your body weight.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
What are the possible side effects from using Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- headache
- nausea, vomiting
- rash, itching
- fever
- pain and tenderness at injection site
- lower abdominal pain
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD):
| ✓ | ||
Hemolytic Anemia:
| ✓ | ||
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
| ✓ | ||
skin pain, skin color changes (redness, yellowing, purplish)
|
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 (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/index-eng.php) 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:
Store Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP at room temperature (15°C-30°C). Protect from light and heat.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection, BP:
- 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; the manufacturer’s website www.sterimaxinc.com , or by calling 1-800-881-3550.