Cefotaxime
About Cefotaxime
Cefotaxime belongs to a class of drugs known as cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections such as lung, skin, soft tissue, urinary tract, genital tract, heart valves, spine, brain, abdomen and blood infections. Apart from that, it may also be used to prevent infection before surgery, as well as during and after a caesarean section to prevent infections.
Cefotaxime contains cefotaxime that exerts its bactericidal action by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, thus killing the bacteria. As a result, it treats bacterial infections.
Cefotaxime will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Cefotaxime may cause side effects such as injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash. The majority of these side effects subside over time without the need for medical intervention. However, contact your doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Notify your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so that your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Cefotaxime to you. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you are taking to rule out any side effects. In rare cases, you may experience involuntary muscle contractions, dizziness, or feeling less attentive. If this occurs, avoid driving or operating any tools or machinery.
Uses of Cefotaxime
Medicinal Benefits
Cefotaxime is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections such as lungs, skin, soft tissue, urinary tract, genital tract, heart valves, spine, brain, abdomen and blood infections. Apart from that, it can be used to prevent infection before surgery, as well as during and after a caesarean section to prevent infections. Cefotaxime exerts its bactericidal action through inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is stable against the action of most β-lactamases.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cefotaxime
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
- Skin rash
- Swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site
Drug Warnings
Do not take Cefotaxime if you are allergic or hypersensitive to cefotaxime or any cephalosporin antibiotics, beta-lactam antibiotics, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Inform your doctor if you have heart disease, problems with your heartbeat or severe heart failure, liver or kidney problems. Notify your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding so that your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Cefotaxime to you. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you are taking to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cefotaxime may interact with certain aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin, amikacin, tobramycin), diuretics (furosemide, etacrynic acid), medicines used for gout (probenecid), and certain vaccines (BCG, cholera live, typhoid live).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Caution should be exercised while using Cefotaxime in people with colitis (bowel disease that affects the large intestine, causing irritation, inflammation, and ulcers in the colon), electrolyte imbalance, seizures, liver or renal dysfunction or under dialysis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether alcohol affects Cefotaxime. However, it is best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption as a precaution.
Pregnancy
cautionInform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Cefotaxime.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Cefotaxime.
Driving
cautionCefotaxime may cause a reduction in mental awareness; thus, avoid using machinery or driving unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionCefotaxime to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCefotaxime to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedCefotaxime should be used in children only if recommended by a child specialist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeine-containing foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, and chocolate.
- Probiotics should be taken after finishing the entire course of Cefotaxime to replenish good bacteria. The risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea can be decreased by taking probiotics after receiving antibiotic treatment. Some fermented foods, including yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, and kimchi, can help rebuild the beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
- Increase your intake of fibre-rich foods since they are simpler for gut bacteria to digest, encouraging their growth.
- While taking Cefotaxime, make sure to drink lots of water or other fluids.
- Avoid drinking alcohol since it may cause dehydration and interfere with your sleep, which makes it difficult for your body to help Cefotaxime fight infections.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor immediately if you notice rash, itchy skin, swelling of the face and mouth, or difficulty breathing.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fever, chills, and fatigue. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with a weak immune system or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Cefotaxime belongs to a class of drugs known as cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections such as lung, skin, soft tissue, urinary tract, genital tract, heart valves, spine, brain, abdomen and blood infections. Apart from that, it may also be used to prevent infection before surgery, as well as during and after a caesarean section to prevent infections.
Cefotaxime exerts its bactericidal action by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, thus killing the bacteria. As a result, it treats bacterial infections.
Inform the doctor if you do not feel better after completing the whole course of treatment. You must also notify your doctor if your symptoms worsen while using this medication.
Cefotaxime is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections only. Cefotaxime does not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold.
Cefotaxime may cause diarrhoea as a side effect. If you have diarrhoea or soft stools, consult your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrheal medicine unless the doctor tells you to.
You are recommended to take Cefotaxime for as long as it is advised by your doctor for effective results. If your symptoms continue or worsen, seek further advice from your doctor.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics means using them when they are not necessary, such as for viral infections (like colds or the flu), stopping the treatment early, or using the wrong antibiotic for a specific infection. This can lead to antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in a way that reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics. As a result, the drugs no longer kill the bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat. This resistance can develop from overusing or misusing antibiotics, like taking them unnecessarily or not finishing the prescribed course.
No, Cefotaxime is not the same as penicillin. Cefotaxime contains ceftriaxone, a cephalosporin antibiotic, while penicillin belongs to a different class of antibiotics. Both treat bacterial infections, but they work in different ways.
Cefotaxime is effective when taken as per the dose advised by your doctor for the recommended duration. Even if you start feeling better, do not stop the treatment early. Stopping it early may cause the symptoms to return or worsen.
Cefotaxime will only be administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer.
Cefotaxime usually begins to work shortly after you start taking it. However, it may take few days to eliminate all harmful bacteria and improve your symptoms.
Cefotaxime causes side fever, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, soft stools or diarrhoea, skin rash, swelling, tenderness, or pain at the site of injection. These do not require any medical treatment as they will gradually reduce over time. However, please contact a doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.
