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Cefotaxime sodium salt
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Cefotaxime sodium salt is an antimicrobial drug that is administered parenterally and belongs to the cephalosporin category.
The drug has a powerful bactericidal effect and high activity against a wide range of gram-negative and -positive microbes. The drug is also resistant to the influence of β-lactamases. The principle of the drug's activity is based on its ability to destroy the binding processes of the main components of the microbial cell wall.
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Indications Cefotaxime sodium salt
It is used for infectious lesions of various locations, the development of which is provoked by the activity of bacteria exposed to cefotaxime:
- respiratory tract infections: pulmonary abscess, pneumonia and bronchitis in the active or chronic phase;
- septicemia;
- lesions of the urinary tract: pyelonephritis, active or chronic nephritis and cystitis;
- infections of subcutaneous tissues: peritonitis, erysipelas and secondary infection dermatitis;
- diseases associated with joints and bones: osteomyelitis or septic arthritis;
- meningitis.
The drug is prescribed for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea and gynecological infections.
Along with this, Cefotaxime sodium salt is used to prevent the occurrence of infectious complications during operations.
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Pharmacokinetics
With intramuscular injections, plasma Cmax values of the active ingredient are noted after half an hour.
Approximately 40% of the drug is involved in synthesis with intraplasmic proteins. It passes into biological fluids (cerebrospinal fluid) and tissues without complications. Cefotaxime is also excreted in breast milk.
Excretion is mainly via the kidneys (unchanged and metabolic components). The half-life is 60-90 minutes.
In elderly people, and also in cases of problems with renal function, a prolongation of the half-life term is observed. In newborns, this period is equal to 90 minutes, and in premature infants it reaches 6.5 hours.
Dosing and administration
The medication is administered to patients by intramuscular injection. Before starting treatment, an intradermal test for personal tolerance to the medication must be performed.
The lyophilisate from the vial is diluted with injection water or 1% lidocaine solution (4 ml). The injection is administered intramuscularly, deep into the area of the outer upper quadrant of the large gluteal muscle. The duration of the therapy cycle is selected by the attending physician, individually for each patient.
For children weighing over 50 kg and adults in case of moderate infectious lesions and infections of the urinary organs, the administration of 1 g of the drug is often prescribed 2 times a day at equal time intervals.
For children and adults whose weight is less than 50 kg, in severe stages of infection, 1-4 g of the drug is generally administered 3-4 times a day (with equal time intervals).
For children and adults weighing more than 50 kg, to prevent the development of infectious complications after surgery, 1 g of the drug is administered once before the surgical procedure. If necessary, Cefotaxime sodium salt can be administered again after 6-12 hours after the procedure.
An adult with uncomplicated gonorrhea requires a single administration of 1 g of the substance.
Children weighing over 50 kg and adults can be given a maximum of 12 g of cefotaxime per day.
For children whose weight is less than 50 kg, the daily dose is selected taking into account the intensity of the pathology and the child's weight. Basically, 50-150 mg/kg is used per day; in case of severe infections, the daily dosage is increased to 0.2 g/kg. The daily dose should be divided into 2-4 injections, performed at equal time intervals.
People with severe liver failure and a CC level of 750 μmol/l need to halve the dose of the drug.
If the medication needs to be used for a period exceeding 10 days, blood counts should be monitored.
Use Cefotaxime sodium salt during pregnancy
The medication is prohibited for use during pregnancy, because there is no reliable information regarding the safety of the active element for the fetus.
If it is necessary to administer the drug during breastfeeding, breastfeeding should be discontinued for the duration of therapy.
Contraindications
Contraindicated for use in individuals with severe personal sensitivity to drug components or other medications from the category of carbapenems, cephalosporins, and penicillins.
Use with extreme caution in people with ulcerative colitis of a non-specific nature.
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Side effects Cefotaxime sodium salt
Side effects include:
- liver and gastrointestinal tract damage: pain in the epigastric region, indigestion and stool disorders, nausea, bloating, increased activity of liver enzymes and vomiting. Along with this, changes in intestinal microflora or the development of glossitis, stomatitis, pseudomembranous colitis may occur;
- disorders of hematopoietic activity: thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutroopenia or granulocytopenia, hypocoagulation and anemia (also its hemolytic form);
- problems with the central nervous system: dizziness, increased fatigue and headaches;
- allergy symptoms: bronchial spasm, itching, TEN, epidermal rashes, SJS, urticaria, anaphylaxis and Quincke's edema;
- Others: irritation, pain and infiltration in the injection area, as well as the occurrence of superinfection.
In addition, the occurrence of nephrotoxic effects of drugs was recorded in individual patients.
Use of the medication may cause changes in Coombs test results and urine sugar levels.
If negative symptoms appear, you should consult your doctor. If pseudomembranous colitis occurs, the medication is discontinued and the required treatment procedures are carried out.
Overdose
Administration of too large doses of the drug leads to the appearance of convulsions, tremors affecting the limbs, encephalopathy and severe psychomotor excitability.
There is no antidote; necessary symptomatic procedures are performed.
Interactions with other drugs
The medicine must not be mixed with other antimicrobial substances in the same dropper or syringe. The medicine is also incompatible with ethanol.
The combined administration of Cefotaxime sodium salt with loop diuretics, aminoglycosides, and polymyxin B leads to an increased likelihood of nephrotoxic activity.
The combination of the drug and antiplatelet agents or NSAIDs increases the risk of bleeding.
Medicines that weaken tubular secretion, when combined with drugs, lead to an increase in cefotaxime levels in plasma.
Storage conditions
Cefotaxime sodium salt should be stored in a dark and dry place, inaccessible to small children. The temperature level is within the range of 15-25 ° C.
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Shelf life
Cefotaxime sodium salt can be used for a 2-year period from the date of release of the drug.
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Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Cefotaxime sodium salt" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.