and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.
Intravenous Administration
Infusion bottles, bulk packages, and frozen bags are for IV use only.
IV Push
Vials: reconstitute 500 mg, 1 g, or 2 g with 10 mL of sterile water for injection to give concentrations of 50, 95, or 180 mg/mL, respectively.
Inject directly into a vein over 3—5 minutes or slowly into the tubing of a freely-flowing compatible IV solution.
Intermittent or continuous IV infusion
Vials: the reconstituted powder (see above) may be further diluted with 50—1000 mL of a compatible IV solution.
Infusion bottles: reconstitute bottles containing 1 or 2 g with 50—100 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride injection or 5% Dextrose injection.
Frozen bags: thaw at room temperature. Do not force thaw. No reconstitution necessary.
Pharmacy bulk packages: reconstitute 10 grams with 47 or 97 mL of a compatible solution to give concentrations of 200 mg/mL or 100 mg/mL, respectively. Withdraw appropriate dose and dilute in a compatible IV solution.
ADD-Vantage vials: for IV infusion only. Reconstitute only with 0.9% Sodium Chloride injection or 5% Dextrose injection in the appropriate 50 or 100 mL flexible diluent container.
Infuse appropriate dose over 20—60 minutes.
Intramuscular Administration
Vials: reconstitute 500 mg, 1 g, or 2 g with 2, 3, 5 ml of sterile or bacteriostatic water for injection, respectively.
Inject deeply into a large muscle (i.e., upper outer quadrant of the gluteus maximus or lateral part of the thigh). Aspirate to avoid injection into a blood vessel.
STORAGE
Generic:
- Protect from light
- Store unreconstituted product at 59 to 86 degrees F
Claforan:
- Discard product if it contains particulate matter, is cloudy, or discolored
- Protect from light
- Reconstituted product must be used within 4 hours
- Store at controlled room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F)
- Store in carton until time of use
CONTRAINDICATIONS / PRECAUTIONS
Viral infection
Cefotaxime does not treat viral infection (e.g., common cold). Prescribing cefotaxime in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria. Patients should be told to complete the full course of treatment, even if they feel better earlier.
Cephalosporin hypersensitivity, penicillin hypersensitivity
Cefotaxime is contraindicated in patients with cephalosporin hypersensitivity or cephamycin hypersensitivity. Cefotaxime should be used cautiously in patients with hypersensitivity to penicillin. The structural similarity between cefotaxime and penicillin means that cross-reactivity can occur. Penicillins can cause a variety of hypersensitivity reactions ranging from mild rash to fatal anaphylaxis. Patients who have experienced severe penicillin hypersensitivity should not receive cefotaxime. Cross-reactivity to cephalosporins is approximately 3—7% with a documented history to penicillin.
Corn hypersensitivity
Cefotaxime solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known corn hypersensitivity or hypersensitivity to corn products.
Renal disease, renal impairment
Cefotaxime should be used with caution in patients with renal disease or renal impairment since the drug is eliminated via renal mechanisms. Dosages may need to be reduc |
