cefotaxime - Drug Summary
CLASSES
3rd Generation Cephalosporin Antibiotics
DEA CLASS
Rx
DESCRIPTION
Parenteral third-generation cephalosporin
Not effective for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Used commonly for enteric gram-negative meningitis and sepsis, serious bacteremias, pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, and skin and skin structure infections
COMMON BRAND NAMES
Claforan
HOW SUPPLIED
Cefotaxime/Cefotaxime Sodium/Claforan Intramuscular Inj Pwd F/Sol: 1g, 2g, 10g, 500mg
Cefotaxime/Cefotaxime Sodium/Claforan Intravenous Inj Pwd F/Sol: 1g, 2g, 10g, 500mg
Claforan Intravenous Inj Sol: 1mL, 20mg, 40mg
DOSAGE & INDICATIONS
For the treatment of bacteremia or septicemia.
Intravenous and Intramuscular dosage
Adults
2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours for severe infections and 2 g IV every 4 hours for life-threatening infections. The maximum dosage is 12 g/day.
Adolescents and Children weighing 50 kg or more
2 g IV every 6 to 8 hours for severe infections and 2 g IV every 4 hours for life-threatening infections. The maximum dosage is 12 g/day.
Children and Infants weighing less than 50 kg
50 to 180 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided every 6 to 8 hours (Max: 2 g/dose); use higher doses for more severe infections. 200 to 225 mg/kg/day IV or IM divided every 4 to 6 hours (Max: 12 g/day) is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for severe infections.
Premature and Term Neonates older than 7 days
50 mg/kg/dose IV or IM every 8 to 12 hours for neonates weighing 2 kg or less and 50 mg/kg/dose IV or IM every 8 hours for neonates weighing more than 2 kg is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The FDA-approved labeling recommends 50 mg/kg/dose IV every 8 hours regardless of weight.
Premature and Term Neonates 0 to 7 days
50 mg/kg/dose IV or IM every 12 hours.
For the treatment of gonorrhea.
For uncomplicated gonorrhea (e.g., cervicitis, urethritis, proctitis).
Intramuscular dosage
Adults
500 mg IM as a single dose, in combination with azithromycin 1 g PO as a single dose, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as an alternative to first-line agent, ceftriaxone. In males with proctitis, the FDA-approved dosage is 1 g IM as a single dose; however, the CDC does not recommend cefotaxime for proctitis.
Children 45 kg or more and Adolescents
500 mg IM as a single dose, in combination with azithromycin 1 g PO as a single dose, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as an alternative to first-line agent, ceftriaxone. In males with proctitis, the FDA-approved dosage is 1 g IM as a single dose; however, the CDC does not recommend cefotaxime for proctitis.
For disseminated gonococcal infection† (e.g., sepsis, arthritis).
Intravenous dosage
Adults
The CDC recommends 1 g IV every 8 hours, as an alternative to ceftriaxone, plus azithromycin 1 g PO as a single dose. Cefotaxime should be continued for 24 to 48 hours after clinical improvement begins. Therapy may then be switched to an oral agent guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing to complete at least 7 days of antibiotic therapy.
Adolescents
The CDC recommends 1 g IV every 8 hours, as an alternative to ceftriaxone, plus azithromycin 1 g PO as a single dose. Cefotaxime should be continued for 24 to 48 hours after clinical improvement begins. Therapy may then be switched to an oral agent guided by antimicrobial susceptibility testing to complete at least 7 days of anti |
