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Cephalosporins  (Systemic)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Ancef4
  • Ceclor1
  • Ceclor CD1
  • Cedax16
  • Cefadyl22
  • Cefditoren77
  • Cefizox17
  • Cefobid9
  • Cefotan11
  • Ceftin19
  • Cefzil14
  • Ceptaz15
  • Claforan10
  • Duricef2
  • Fortaz15
  • Keflex20
  • Keftab20
  • Kefurox19
  • Kefzol4
  • Mandol3
  • Maxipime6
  • Mefoxin12
  • Monocid8
  • Omnicef5
  • Rocephin18
  • Tazicef15
  • Tazidime15
  • Vantin13
  • Velosef23
  • Zinacef19

In Canada—

  • Ancef4
  • Apo-Cefaclor1
  • Apo-Cephalex20
  • Ceclor1
  • Cefizox17
  • Cefotan11
  • Ceftin19
  • Cefzil14
  • Ceporacin21
  • Ceptaz15
  • Claforan10
  • Duricef2
  • Fortaz15
  • Keflex20
  • Keflin21
  • Kefurox19
  • Kefzol4
  • Mandol3
  • Maxipime6
  • Mefoxin12
  • Novo-Lexin20
  • Nu-Cephalex20
  • PMS-Cephalexin20
  • Rocephin18
  • Suprax7
  • Tazidime15
  • Zinacef19

Note:

For quick reference, the following cephalosporins are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Cefaclor (SEF-a-klor)
2.  Cefadroxil (sef-a-DROX-ill)
3.  Cefamandole (sef-a-MAN-dole)
4.  Cefazolin (sef-A-zoe-lin)
5.  Cefdinir (sef–DI–neer)
6.  Cefepime (SEF-e-pim)
7.  Cefixime (sef-IX-eem)*
8.  Cefonicid (se-FON-i-sid)
9.  Cefoperazone (sef-oh-PER-a-zone)
10.  Cefotaxime (sef-oh-TAKS-eem)
11.  Cefotetan (SEF-oh-tee-tan)
12.  Cefoxitin (se-FOX-i-tin)
13.  Cefpodoxime (sef-pode-OX-eem)
14.  Cefprozil (sef-PROE-zil)
15.  Ceftazidime (SEF-tay-zi-deem)
16.  Ceftibuten (sef-TYE-byoo-ten)
17.  Ceftizoxime (sef-ti-ZOX-eem)
18.  Ceftriaxone (sef-trye-AX-one)
19.  Cefuroxime (se-fyoor-OX-eem)
20.  Cephalexin (sef-a-LEX-in)
21.  Cephalothin (sef-A-loe-thin)*
22.  Cephapirin (sef-a-PYE-rin)
23.  Cephradine (SEF-ra-deen)
77.  Cefditoren (sef-da-TOR-en)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Cephalosporins ( sef-a-loe-SPOR-ins) are used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. They work by killing bacteria or preventing their growth.

Cephalosporins are used to treat infections in many different parts of the body. They are sometimes given with other antibiotics. Some cephalosporins given by injection are also used to prevent infections before, during, and after surgery. However, cephalosporins will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Cephalosporins are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For the cephalosporins, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the cephalosporins, penicillins, penicillin-like medicines, or penicillamine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies have not been done in humans. However, most cephalosporins have not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies. Studies in rabbits have shown that cefoxitin may increase the risk of miscarriages and cause other problems.

Breast-feeding—It is not known if cefditoren passes into breast milk. Most cephalosporins pass into breast milk, usually in small amounts. However, cephalosporins have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Many cephalosporins have been tested in children and, in effective doses, have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than they do in adults. However, there are some cephalosporins that have not been tested in children up to 12 year of age.

Older adults—Cephalosporins have been used in the elderly, and they are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking a cephalosporin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of cephalosporins. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Cephalosporins may be taken on a full or empty stomach. If this medicine upsets your stomach, it may help to take it with food.

Cefaclor extended-release tablets, cefditoren, cefpodoxime, and cefuroxime axetil should be taken with food to increase absorption of the medicine. Ceftibuten oral suspension should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a meal.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of this medicine:

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a “strep” infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in “strep” infections since serious heart or kidney problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also, if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take four doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing—

The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking a cephalosporin.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood or urine. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

For patients with diabetes:

For patients with phenylketonuria (PKU):

In some patients, cephalosporins may cause diarrhea:

For patients receiving cefamandole, cefoperazone, or cefotetan by injection:


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, cephalosporins are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Products containing cefixime were withdrawn from the U.S. market by Wyeth in October 2002

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

Revised: 02/26/2003

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Copyright© 2003 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.