Allina Health

Cefotaxime Sodium (sef-oh-TAX-eem SOE-dee-um)

Treats infections caused by bacteria. Belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.

Brand Name(s):

Claforan, Novaplus Claforan, Amerinet Claforan

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles or through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. It may also be given by a home health caregiver.

If a dose is missed:

• This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep the unmixed powder medicine at room temperature and protect it from light.
• After the medicine has been mixed with liquid, you may need to store it in the refrigerator. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or home health caregiver what is the best way to store the liquid medicine.
• If the liquid medicine has been frozen, let it warm up to room temperature before using it. Throw away any unused medicine after it has thawed. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone..

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using probenecid (Benemid®) or certain antibiotics (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, Amidin®, or Garamycin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart rhythm problems (such as arrhythmia), or a history of stomach or bowel disease, such as colitis. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin.
• If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Use this medicine only to treat the infection your doctor has prescribed it for. Do not use this medicine for any infection that has not been checked by a doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Severe diarrhea or vomiting.
• Severe stomach pain.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
• Mild skin rash.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088