Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection belongs to the class of medications called ‘antibiotics’ used to treat bacterial infections. Bacterial infections are caused by the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Symptoms of bacterial infection vary depending on the organ affected by bacteria.

Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection is a combination of two medicines: Ceftriaxone and Sulbactam. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It has bactericidal action (kills bacteria). It works by preventing the formation of the cell wall (the outer protective layer of bacteria, which is essential for its survival) by preventing protein synthesis. Sulbactam inhibits the action of beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by bacteria that can destroy antibiotics (ceftriaxone).

Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection will be administered by a healthcare professional, so do not self-administer. The common side effects of Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection include pain and swelling at the injection site, skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and black/tarry stools. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection if you are allergic to penicillin or any cephalosporin antibiotic or its contents. Before taking Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection, inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver disease, diabetes or using other antibiotics. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop using Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection as it may lead to antibiotic resistance (bacteria become resistant to antibiotics). Before taking Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection, inform your doctor if you have an electrolyte imbalance, seizures, or gastrointestinal diseases. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection is probably safe when used in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and the elderly. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection may not interact with alcohol. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.

Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection contains Ceftriaxone and Sulbactam. Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic, whereas Sulbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection has broad-spectrum activity and is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It makes the drug effective in multiple serious bacterial infections, including infections of the bloodstream (septicemia), bones (osteomyelitis), the heart valves (endocarditis), the membranes protecting the brain (meningitis), acute bacterial otitis media (infection of the middle ear) and the lining of the abdomen (peritonitis) and to prevent and treat infections following surgeries.

• Pain at the injection site
• Swelling at the injection site
• Skin rash
• Diarrhoea
• Anaphylaxis
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Black/tarry stools

It is not recommended to take Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection if you are allergic to penicillin, any cephalosporin antibiotic, or its contents. Before taking Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection, inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, liver disease, diabetes or using other antibiotics. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop using Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection as it may lead to antibiotic resistance (bacteria become resistant to antibiotics). Before taking Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection, inform your doctor if you have an electrolyte imbalance, seizures, or gastrointestinal diseases. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection is probably safe when used in children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and the elderly. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection may not interact with alcohol. Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection may cause dizziness, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy. Alterations in prothrombin time (a test used to check for bleeding problems) have been reported in patients receiving this medicine. Antibiotic therapy will cause an imbalance in the normal microbial flora of the large intestine, which may promote the growth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile, and you may experience severe diarrhoea.

Drug-Drug Interactions:  Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection may interact with vaccines (cholera vaccine) estrogens (Ethinyl estradiol), penicillin antibiotics (mezlocillin and azlocillin), aminoglycoside antibiotics (amikacin, streptomycin, neomycin and gentamicin), immuno-suppressant(cyclosporine) and medicine used to treat gout (probenecid).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems, diabetes, seizures, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and bleeding disorders.

• CHOLERA VACCINE
• ETHINYLESTRADIOL
• MEZLOCILLIN
• AZLOCILLIN
• AMIKACIN
• STREPTOMYCIN
• NEOMYCIN
• GENTAMICIN
• CYCLOSPORINE
• PROBENECID

• Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kombucha and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
• Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages with Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection as they can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep.  This can make it harder for your body to aid the Betacef 500mg/250mg Injection in fighting off infections.

• Inform your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin or other antibiotics.
• Take it with food and plenty of fluids to avoid an upset stomach.

Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection occurs when dangerous bacteria enter the body, flourish, and spread throughout it. It multiplies quickly and can attack any organ in the body. A lot of them emit toxins, which can harm the tissue and make you ill. Minor illnesses like sore throats and ear infections to serious brain infections are all caused by bacteria (like meningitis and encephalitis). Generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue can occur when you become infected with bacteria. Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli are a few harmful bacteria that frequently cause infections. Anyone can contract a bacterial infection, but those with weakened immune systems or those taking immunosuppressive drugs like steroids are more vulnerable.