cefotaxime sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
Administration
Prepared as a solution and given into a vein by a healthcare professional
Usual role
Severe bacterial infections and prevention of infection around some operations
Food
Food timing is not relevant because cefotaxime is not taken by mouth
Sodium
Contains sodium, which may matter for people requiring restricted sodium intake
What is cefotaxime sodium used for?
Licensed uses include severe infections known or considered likely to involve cefotaxime-susceptible bacteria.
Bacterial pneumonia
Complicated urinary tract infection, including kidney infection
Severe skin and soft-tissue infection
Genital infection, including gonorrhoea
Intra-abdominal infection, such as peritonitis
Bacterial meningitis
Endocarditis
Borreliosis, including Lyme borreliosis
Bacteraemia associated with a listed infection
Prevention of infection around certain operations
How does cefotaxime sodium work?
Cefotaxime blocks construction of the bacterial cell wall while bacteria are growing, causing the weakened wall to break down. Resistance can occur through beta-lactamases, altered targets or reduced antibiotic entry.
cefotaxime sodium preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g
How to take cefotaxime sodium
The powder is reconstituted and administered into a vein by a trained healthcare professional. The prepared solution should be clear to yellow and free from visible particles. Cefotaxime must not be rapidly injected through a central venous catheter.
It is not taken by mouth, so food does not affect administration.
Do not prepare or inject it yourself unless specifically trained and supported by a clinical service.
Tell the team about antibiotic allergies, kidney problems and medicines you use.
cefotaxime sodium side effects
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, wheezing, swelling or collapse
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, particularly with mouth or eye involvement
- Severe, persistent, watery or bloody diarrhoea with abdominal pain or fever
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, pallor, persistent sore throat or recurrent infection
- Confusion, reduced consciousness, abnormal movements or seizures
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Reduced urine output or other signs of acute kidney injury
cefotaxime sodium in pregnancy
Most studies of cephalosporins have not shown harm to the baby, but cefotaxime crosses the placenta. It should be used only when the expected benefit outweighs potential risk, as assessed by the prescriber.
cefotaxime sodium while breastfeeding
Cefotaxime passes into breast milk. Diarrhoea, oral thrush or sensitisation in the infant cannot be excluded, so the prescriber should balance treatment needs with the benefits of breastfeeding and arrange observation where appropriate.
cefotaxime sodium interactions
Review concurrent medicines and recent laboratory testing before cefotaxime is administered.
Probenecid
Reduces renal clearance and increases cefotaxime exposure, particularly when kidney function is impaired.
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
May increase kidney toxicity. Monitor renal function and do not mix them with cefotaxime in the same syringe or infusion fluid.
Potent diuretics, such as furosemide
May increase kidney toxicity, requiring renal-function monitoring.
Common questions about cefotaxime sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is cefotaxime sodium a penicillin?
No. It is a cephalosporin, although both cephalosporins and penicillins are beta-lactam antibiotics.
Can cefotaxime sodium be taken by mouth?
No. It is prepared for administration into a vein by a healthcare professional.
Does cefotaxime sodium treat viral infections?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.