Generic Name: cefotaxime (SEF oh TAX eem)
Brand Names: Claforan
What is Claforan (cefotaxime)?
Cefotaxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Cefotaxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. Cefotaxime is also used to prevent infections in people having surgery.
Cefotaxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Claforan (cefotaxime)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime or to similar antibiotics, such as cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), and others.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or a heart rhythm disorder.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefotaxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefotaxime.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using Claforan (cefotaxime)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to cefotaxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
cefaclor (Raniclor);
cefadroxil (Duricef);
cefazolin (Ancef);
cefdinir (Omnicef);
cefditoren (Spectracef);
cefpodoxime (Vantin);
cefprozil (Cefzil);
ceftibuten (Cedax);
cefuroxime (Ceftin);
cephalexin (Keflex); or
cephradine (Velosef).
To make sure you can safely use cefotaxime, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
allergy to penicillin;
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
diabetes; or
a heart rhythm disorder.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cefotaxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Claforan (cefotaxime)?
Cefotaxime is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. It is sometimes given through a central IV line placed into a large vein in your chest. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles, IV tubing, and other items used to inject the medicine.
Cefotaxime must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medication.
Use a disposable needle only once. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Cefotaxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefotaxime.
If your medicine is frozen when you receive it, keep it frozen until you are ready to use the medicine. It is best to store the medicine in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0.
To use the medicine, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Keep thawed medicine in the refrigerator and use it within 10 days after thawing it. Do not refreeze thawed medicine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
If you are receiving this medication at a clinic, call your doctor if you miss an appointment for your injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include weakness, cold feeling, pale skin, blue lips, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while using Claforan (cefotaxime)?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop using cefotaxime and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Claforan (cefotaxime) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
uneven heartbeats;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Less serious side effects may include:
pain, irritation, or a hard lump where the injection was given;
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
headache; or
vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Claforan (cefotaxime)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
probenecid (Benemid); or
any other injected antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with cefotaxime. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Claforan resources
- Claforan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Claforan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Claforan Drug Interactions
- Claforan Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Claforan - Add your own review/rating
- Claforan Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Claforan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Claforan Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Claforan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Cefotaxime Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Claforan with other medications
- Bacteremia
- Bone infection
- Cesarean Section
- CNS Infection
- Endometritis
- Epiglottitis
- Gonococcal Infection, Disseminated
- Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated
- Intraabdominal Infection
- Joint Infection
- Kidney Infections
- Lyme Disease
- Lyme Disease, Arthritis
- Lyme Disease, Carditis
- Lyme Disease, Neurologic
- Meningitis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Peritonitis
- Pneumonia
- Salmonella Gastroenteritis
- Sepsis
- Septicemia
- Skin Infection
- Surgical Prophylaxis
- Urinary Tract Infection
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefotaxime.
See also: Claforan side effects (in more detail)
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