Cefotaxime
Introduction To Cefotaxime
Cefotaxime is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the brain, lungs, ear, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, bones and joints, blood, and heart. It is also used to prevent infections during surgery.
Cefotaxime fights and stops the growth of many types of bacteria. This helps to improve your symptoms and cure the underlying infection. It is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) or as an injection directly into a vein or a muscle under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. You should use this medicine regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening.
The most common side effects of this medicine include rash and diarrhea. Some people may develop temporary redness or pain at the site of injection. These side effects are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days.
Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics, and if you have any liver or kidney problems. You should also let your healthcare team know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.
Uses of Cefotaxime
- Treatment of Bacterial infections
Benefits of Cefotaxime
Treatment of Bacterial infections
Cefotaxime is a medicine that kills the infection-causing bacteria in your
body. It is often injected by a doctor or a nurse either into a vein or a
muscle. This medicine is used to treat many different types of infections such
as those of the brain (meningitis), lungs (pneumonia), ear, abdomen, urinary
tract, bones and joints, skin, blood, and heart. This medicine usually makes
you feel better within a few days. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully
to get maximum benefit.
Side effects of Cefotaxime
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Cefotim
- Rash
- Allergic reaction
- Nausea
- Injection site reaction
- Diarrhea
How to use Cefotaxime
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Cefotaxime works
Cefotaxime is an antibiotic. It kills the bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.
Quick tips
-
Your doctor has prescribed Cefotaxime to cure your infection and improve your symptoms.
-
Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection harder to treat.
-
Discontinue Cefotaxime and inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or have difficulty in breathing.
-
Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools.
Safety Advice
PregnancySAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Cefotaxime if I’m pregnant?
Cefotaxime is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
BreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Cefotaxime if I’m breastfeeding?
Cefotaxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Avoid prolonged use of Cefotaxime, since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.
AlcoholSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Cefotaxime safe?
Consuming alcohol with Cefotaxime does not cause any harmful side effects.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Cefotaxime?
Cefotaxime may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Cefotaxime if I have/had kidney diseases?
Cefotaxime should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cefotaxime may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of kidney function may be advised while you are taking this medicine.
LiverSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Cefotaxime if I have/had liver diseases?
Cefotaxime is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Cefotaxime is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Cefotaxime the same as penicillin?
No, Cefotaxime is not the same as penicillin. Cefotaxime belongs to the third generation class of cephalosporins. Cefotaxime is active against numerous gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including several with resistance to other antibiotics such as penicillin.
Q. What kind of infections does Cefotaxime treat?
Cefotaxime is an antibiotic used to treat conditions such as lower respiratory tract infections (related to the lungs, windpipe and airways), skin and skin structure infections, urinary tract infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial septicemia, bone and joint infections, and meningitis (brain related).
Q. Is Cefotaxime effective?
Cefotaxime is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Cefotaxime too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.
Q. How is Cefotaxime administered?
Cefotaxime is administered under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional or a doctor and should not be self-administered. The dose will depend on the condition you are being treated for and will be decided by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit from Cefotaxime.
Q. What if I do not get better after using Cefotaxime?
Inform your doctor if you do not feel better even after finishing the full course of treatment. You must also inform your doctor if the symptoms get worse while using this medicine.
Q. Can the use of Cefotaxime cause diarrhea?
Yes, the use of Cefotaxime can cause diarrhea. Cefotaxime is an antibiotic which kills the harmful bacteria. However, it also affects the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and causes diarrhea. If diarrhea persists, talk to your doctor about it.
Q. How long does Cefotaxime take to work?
Usually, Cefotaxime starts working soon after you take it. However, it may take some days to kill all the harmful bacteria and relieve your symptoms completely.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
MediClap strives to make its website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Should you encounter any difficulty accessing this website, kindly send an email to hello@mediclap.com to enable us to provide the necessary services through alternative means.
MediClap is not affiliated with nor sponsored by any of the third-party brands mentioned. All trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights mentioned remain the sole property of their respective owners.