Gefe-Max 1.125 gm 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.

Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection is a combination of two medicines: Cefepime and Tazobactam. Cefepime 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. Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It can improve the spectrum of antibacterial action by inhibiting the action of beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase is an enzyme produced by bacteria that can destroy antibiotics (cefotaxime). Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection is only used to treat bacterial infections and is not recommended for viral infections.

 Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The common side effects of Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection are pain and swelling at the injection site and skin rash. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection if you are allergic to penicillin, any cephalosporin antibiotic, or its contents. Before taking Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection, inform your doctor if you have kidney problems, diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, especially colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), or use other antibiotics. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop using Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection as it may lead to antibiotic resistance (bacteria become resistant to antibiotics). This medicine is not recommended in children aged less than two years. Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection should be used with caution in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people. Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may interact with alcohol. Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may not affect your ability to drive.

Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection contains Cefepime and Tazobactam. Cefepime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, whereas Tazobactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection has broad-spectrum activity and is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It makes the drug effective in multiple moderate to severe bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, intra-abdominal infections, lower respiratory tract (lung) infections such pneumonia (inflammation of the air sacs present in lungs) and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), septicemia (including infections of the bloodstream), and empiric treatment in febrile neutropenic patients (development of fever in patients with low neutrophil count).

• Pain at the injection site

• Swelling at the injection site

• Skin rash

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headache

Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment. There is a risk of serious adverse events such as confusion, hallucinations, stupor (a state of near-unconsciousness), and seizures (fits). Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, the doctor may discontinue therapy and advise appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, and antibiotic therapy to treat CDAD. A Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may cause positive direct Coomb’s test, which indicates antibodies against red blood cells. So, it is necessary to let your doctor know that you are taking this medicine before undergoing laboratory tests. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication as it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may cause superinfection (additional infection caused by other microbes) on prolonged use.

Drug-Drug Interactions:  Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may interact with aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin, neomycin, and gentamicin) as it may cause severe nephrotoxicity (damage to the kidney). It may also interact with a medicine used to treat gout (probenecid).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems, gastrointestinal problems, especially colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) and diabetes.

• STREPTOMYCIN
• NEOMYCIN
• GENTAMICIN
• PROBENECID

• Probiotics should be taken after taking the full course of Gefe-Max 1.125 gm 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 fiber-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fiber-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread, brown rice should be included in your diet.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages can make you dehydrated and also affect your sleep.  This can make it harder for your body to aid the antibiotic in fighting off infections.

• Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection may cause positive Coomb’s test, increase liver enzymes, alter red blood cell count, decrease phosphorus and cause abnormal prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (abnormal PT and PTT indicate abnormal blood clotting). So, it is necessary to let your doctor know that you are taking Gefe-Max 1.125 gm Injection before undergoing laboratory tests.

• If you are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentamicin, your kidney function should be regularly monitored.

Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any organ of the body and multiply very quickly. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses (like sore throat and ear infections) to severe brain infections (like meningitis and encephalitis). When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue.  Few harmful bacteria that commonly cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.  Anyone can get a bacterial infection, but people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicines like steroids are more prone to infections.