Cefoxitin injection

What is cefoxitin injection?

CEFOXITIN (Mefoxin®) is an antibiotic. Cefoxitin kills bacteria that cause infection, or stops the growth of bacteria. Cefoxitin treats many kinds of infections including those of the skin, bone, stomach, respiratory tract, blood, sinuses, ears, and urinary tract. Generic cefoxitin injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I use cefoxitin?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding problems

• kidney disease

• stomach or intestinal problems (especially colitis)

• other chronic illness

• an unusual or allergic reaction to cefoxitin, penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Cefoxitin is for injection into a muscle or infusion into a vein. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with cefoxitin?

• other antibiotics

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking cefoxitin?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not begin to improve in a few days.

If you are diabetic you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

If you get severe or watery diarrhea, do not treat yourself. Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

What side effects may I notice from using cefoxitin?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing, wheezing

• dizziness

• fever or chills, sore throat

• headache

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• pain, swelling and irritation at the injection site

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• severe or watery diarrhea

• skin rash, itching

• swollen joints

• unusual weakness or tiredness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• nausea, vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the dry powder for injection at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). After mixing with sterile water for injection, use within 24 hours at room temperature, or one week if refrigerated below 5 degrees C, or thirty weeks if frozen. If frozen thaw to room temperature before use. Follow manufacturer's advice on storage of further diluted solutions. Store premixed frozen injection in plastic containers in a freezer at —20 degrees C (—4 degrees F). After thawing use within 24 hours, or twenty one days if refrigerated. Throw away any unused portions.