Cefotaxime
Cefotaxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral use.
The mechanism of bactericidal action of cefotaxime involves the inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
The range of antibacterial activity is very broad.
Cefotaxime is indicated for the treatment of the following infections, caused by susceptible microorganisms.
See also the section: "Warnings and precautions".
In the event of any of the above, Cefotaxim-MIP should not be taken and the doctor should be informed.
Before starting treatment with Cefotaxim-MIP, the patient should discuss it with their doctor.
In connection with the use of cefotaxime, severe skin reactions have been reported, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
The use of cefotaxime should be discontinued and the doctor should be consulted immediately if any symptoms associated with these severe skin reactions occur, as described in section 4.
If the patient has a history of severe allergy or asthma, they should inform their doctor.
In patients with a tendency to allergies, an allergic reaction may occur after taking this medicine - in this case, its administration should be discontinued.
Patients allergic to cefotaxime may also be allergic to other beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., other cephalosporins or penicillins).
Severe, including fatal, hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in patients receiving cefotaxime.
If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, treatment should be discontinued immediately.
The use of cefotaxime is contraindicated in patients with a history of immediate hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.
Cephalosporin therapy should be used with caution in patients allergic to penicillin, as cross-allergy between penicillins and cephalosporins can occur.
Special caution should be exercised in individuals who have previously experienced severe allergies or asthma.
If the patient experiences diarrhea during or after treatment, they should inform their doctor.
Severe and persistent diarrhea may indicate the occurrence of life-threatening pseudomembranous colitis.
This is a rare complication that can occur during the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
The doctor will decide whether to discontinue cefotaxime and, if necessary, initiate appropriate treatment (e.g., administration of specific antibiotics or chemotherapeutic agents).
Medicines that inhibit intestinal peristalsis should not be taken.
If the patient has renal impairment, the doctor may modify the dosage.
Caution should be exercised if cefotaxime is administered with aminoglycosides or other nephrotoxic medicines (see the section "Cefotaxim-MIP and other medicines").
In these patients, as well as in the elderly and patients with pre-existing renal impairment, the doctor may recommend monitoring renal function.
If the patient, especially those with renal impairment, experiences symptoms such as altered consciousness, abnormal movements, and seizures, this may indicate cerebral function disorders caused by the use of excessive doses of cefotaxime.
Immediate contact with the doctor is necessary before continuing treatment.
If the medicine is used for a longer period, the doctor may recommend monitoring liver and kidney function.
If cefotaxime is used for more than 7-10 days, the doctor may recommend monitoring blood parameters, including white blood cell count.
If cefotaxime is administered too quickly through a central venous catheter (less than 1 minute), severe cardiac arrhythmias may occur.
The use of any antibiotic can cause the growth of microorganisms resistant to the given antibiotic.
Attention should be paid to symptoms of new infections, and if they are observed, the doctor should be consulted, who will recommend appropriate treatment.
The use of cefotaxime may affect the results of diagnostic tests.
During treatment with cefotaxime, false-positive Coombs test results may occur in rare cases.
False-positive glucose test results may occur after dose reduction, unless a specific oxidase method is used.
When determining glucose levels in urine and blood, depending on the method used, false-positive results may occur; this can be avoided by using enzymatic methods.
Cefotaxime with lidocaine for intramuscular injection should not be used in children under one year of age.
The age-related decline in renal function may lead to increased cefotaxime serum concentrations if the dose is not properly adjusted (see section 3).
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, suspects they may be pregnant, or plans to have a child, they should consult their doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
The safety of cefotaxime in pregnant women has not been established.
Cefotaxime crosses the placental barrier.
Therefore, it should not be used during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, unless the expected benefits outweigh the risks.
There are no adequate studies on the use of cefotaxime in pregnant women.
Animal studies have not shown a harmful effect of cefotaxime on the fetus.
Cefotaxime is excreted in breast milk.
If cefotaxime is used during breastfeeding, disturbances in the intestinal flora of newborns and diarrhea may occur, and the growth of yeast may be promoted, and an allergic reaction may occur.
In this regard, the doctor will consider whether to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue treatment, taking into account the benefits of breastfeeding for the child and the benefits of treatment for the woman.
Cefotaxime administered in small or medium doses does not affect concentration and reaction speed.
High doses of cefotaxime, especially in patients with renal impairment, may cause cerebral function disorders (such as encephalopathy, characterized by altered consciousness, abnormal movements, and seizures).
Vehicles should not be driven, and machinery should not be operated if such symptoms occur.
The patient should inform their doctor about all medicines they are currently taking or have recently taken, as well as any medicines they plan to take.
Cefotaxime and other antibiotics
Due to the antagonistic effect of cefotaxime, it should not be used with other chemotherapeutic agents with bacteriostatic action (e.g., tetracyclines, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides).
Because of incompatibility with all aminoglycosides, cefotaxime should not be administered with aminoglycosides in the same injection or infusion solution.
If the use of both antibiotics is necessary, they should be administered through separate devices and injected at different sites.
Cefotaxime and probenecid
Concomitant administration of probenecid leads to inhibition of cefotaxime excretion by the kidneys, resulting in increased serum concentrations and prolonged action.
Cefotaxime and nephrotoxic medicines or diuretics acting on the loop of Henle
If cefotaxime is used concomitantly with medicines that may damage the kidneys (e.g., aminoglycoside antibiotics, polymyxin B, and colistin) and diuretics acting on the loop of Henle, the nephrotoxic effect of these medicines may be enhanced.
If concomitant treatment with cefotaxime and an aminoglycoside antibiotic is necessary, these medicines should be administered separately, and renal function should be monitored.
The medicine contains 48 mg of sodium (the main component of common salt) per 1 g, which corresponds to 2.4% of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake in the diet for adults.
This medicine should always be used as directed by the doctor.
In case of doubts, the patient should consult their doctor or pharmacist.
Dosage
The dosage and method of administration depend on the severity of the infection, the susceptibility of the microorganism, and the patient's condition.
Adults and children over 12 years of age
Usually 1 to 2 g of cefotaxime per day, in two divided doses, administered every 12 hours.
In severe cases, the daily dose can be increased to 12 g.
Daily doses up to 6 g should be divided into at least two single doses, administered every 12 hours.
Larger daily doses should be divided into at least 3 to 4 single doses, administered every 8 or 6 hours, respectively.
The following table may serve as a guide for dosing:
Type of infection | Daily dose | Frequency and route of administration |
Gonorrhea (except gonorrhea of the rectum in men) | 500 mg | 500 mg once im. |
Gonorrhea of the rectum in men | 1 g | 1 g once im. |
Uncomplicated infections | 2 g | 1 g every 12 hours im. or iv. |
Moderate to severe infections | 3 to 6 g | 1 or 2 g every 8 hours im. or iv. |
Severe infections requiring high doses (e.g., septicemia) | 6 to 8 g | 2 g every 6 or 8 hours iv. |
Life-threatening infections | up to 12 g | 2 g every 4 hours iv. |
In the treatment of gonorrhea in adult women, a single dose of 500 mg of cefotaxime should be administered.
For men and in the treatment of infections caused by less susceptible microorganisms, it may be necessary to increase the dose to 1 g.
Before starting treatment, tests should be performed to detect possible gonorrhea.
In the prevention of postoperative infections, a single dose of 1 g of cefotaxime should be administered 30 to 90 minutes before the planned surgery.
Depending on the risk of infection, the use of the medicine may be continued after the procedure.
Infants and children under 12 years of age
Depending on the severity of the infection, 50 to 100 mg of cefotaxime per kilogram of body weight per day is used, divided into 2, 3, or 4 single doses of equal size, administered every 12, 8, or 6 hours, respectively.
In individual cases - especially in life-threatening infections - it may be necessary to increase the daily dose to 200 mg of cefotaxime per kilogram of body weight.
Newborns, including preterm infants
Due to immature renal function, the dose should not exceed 50 mg of cefotaxime per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into 2, 3, or 4 divided doses, administered every 12, 8, or 6 hours, respectively.
Dosage in patients with impaired renal function
Due to the extrarenal elimination of cefotaxime, a dose reduction is necessary only in severe renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate below 5 mL/min, serum creatinine concentration of approximately 751 micromoles/L).
After administration of the initial loading dose of 1 g, the daily dose should be reduced by half without changing the frequency of administration, e.g., a dose of 1 g every 12 hours should be reduced to 500 mg every 12 hours, 1 g every 8 hours to 500 mg every 8 hours, 2 g every 8 hours to 1 g every 8 hours, etc.
As in other patient groups, further dose adjustment may be necessary based on the course of the infection and the patient's overall condition.
In patients with significantly impaired renal function (glomerular filtration rate below 10 mL/min), special dosing rules apply (see dosing table).
Method of administration
Detailed instructions are provided at the end of the leaflet in the section "Information intended exclusively for healthcare professionals".
Duration of use
The duration of treatment depends on the type of infection, the clinical course of the disease, and the results of bacteriological tests.
The medicine should be administered regularly, at the same time every day.
The doctor will recommend how long to use the medicine.
Treatment should not be discontinued prematurely, as this may render it ineffective.
In case of any further doubts about the use of this medicine, the patient should consult their doctor.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The use of cefotaxime should be discontinued immediately and the doctor informed if the patient notices any of the following symptoms:
A widespread rash, high body temperature, and swollen lymph nodes (DRESS or drug hypersensitivity syndrome).
The following side effects and their frequencies are presented below.
Very common (may occur in more than 1 in 10 patients):
Common (may occur in up to 1 in 10 patients):
Uncommon (may occur in up to 1 in 100 patients):
Rare (may occur in up to 1 in 10,000 patients):
Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data):
If any side effects occur, including any side effects not listed in the leaflet, the patient should inform their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Medicinal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products:
Jerozolimskie Avenue 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
Reporting side effects will help gather more information on the safety of the medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
This medicine should not be used after the expiry date stated on the packaging.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the month stated.
Store at a temperature below 25°C.
Protect from light.
The prepared solution should not be stored for more than 24 hours at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C.
It is best to administer the solution immediately after preparation.
A slightly yellowish color of the solution does not affect the efficacy and safety of the antibiotic.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
The patient should ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed.
This will help protect the environment.
Vials made of type II glass with a capacity of 15 mL, closed with a bromobutyl rubber stopper and an aluminum flip-off cap, in a cardboard box.
1 vial
5 vials
10 vials (2 × 5 vials)
25 vials (5 × 5 vials)
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder
MIP Pharma Polska Sp. z o.o.
Orzechowa Street 5
80-175 Gdańsk
Phone: 58 303 93 62
Fax: 58 322 16 13
Email: info@mip-pharma.pl
Manufacturer
Chephasaar, Chemisch-pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH
Mühlstrasse 50
D-66386 St. Ingbert
Germany
Cefotaxime is highly resistant to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases.
However, it may undergo hydrolysis with the participation of beta-lactamases with an extended spectrum (e.g., Bacteroides fragilis, Proteus vulgaris).
The following presents the in vitro activity spectrum of cefotaxime.
Staphylococcus spp. (penicillinase-producing and non-penicillinase-producing, coagulase-positive and coagulase-negative strains),
Streptococcus spp. (beta-hemolytic and other streptococci, such as Streptococcus viridans, and other enterococci, including relatively resistant Streptococcus faecalis),
Streptococcus (Diplococcus) pneumoniae,
Clostridium spp.
Escherichia coli
Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains)
Klebsiella spp.
Proteus spp. (including indole-positive and indole-negative strains)
Enterobacter spp.
Neisseria spp. (including Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains producing beta-lactamases)
Salmonella spp. (including Salmonella typhi)
Shigella spp.
Providencia spp.
Serratia spp.
Citrobacter spp.
Pseudomonas spp. and Bacteroides spp. - some Bacteroides fragilis strains are resistant.
Intravenous injections
Before administering an intravenous injection of Cefotaxim-MIP 1 g, it should be dissolved in at least 4 mL, and Cefotaxim-MIP 2 g in at least 10 mL of water for injections, then administered directly into a vein or into the peripheral end of an infusion tube (after unlocking the infusion tube) within 3 to 5 minutes.
Intravenous infusions
Before administering a short-term infusion, 1 g or 2 g of cefotaxime should be dissolved in 40 to 50 mL of water for injections or another compatible infusion solution, and then administered intravenously over approximately 20 minutes.
Before administering a long-term infusion, 2 g of cefotaxime should be dissolved in 100 mL of isotonic sodium chloride solution or glucose, and then administered intravenously over approximately 50 to 60 minutes.
Another compatible infusion solution may also be used as a solvent.
Intramuscular injections
Before administering an intramuscular injection, Cefotaxim-MIP 1 g should be dissolved in 4 mL of water for injections.
Then, a deep injection into the gluteal muscle should be performed.
To alleviate pain during intramuscular injection, Cefotaxim-MIP 1 g should be dissolved in 4 mL of 1% lidocaine solution.
However, care should be taken not to administer the medicine into a blood vessel, as intravascular administration of lidocaine may cause restlessness, conduction disorders, vomiting, or seizures.
Cefotaxim-MIP with lidocaine should not be administered to children under one year of age.
No more than 4 mL should be administered in a single injection.
If the daily dose exceeds 2 g of cefotaxime or if cefotaxime is administered more frequently than twice a day, intravenous administration of the medicine is recommended.
Cefotaxime is incompatible with:
Compatibility with intravenous infusion solutions
Cefotaxime can be mixed with the following fluids:
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