Cefazolin sodium indications and usage
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Indications And Usage
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefazolin and other antibacterial drugs, cefazolin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Cefazolin for Injection is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible bacteria.
Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory tract infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
Injectable benzathine penicillin is considered the drug of choice in treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections, including the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever.
Cefazolin is effective in the eradication of streptococci from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of cefazolin in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Skin and skin structure infections due to S. aureus, S. pyogenes, and Streptococcus agalactiae.
Biliary Tract Infections
Biliary infections due to E. coli, various isolates of streptococci, P. mirabilis, and S. aureus.
Bone and Joint Infections
Bone and joint infections due to S. aureus.
Genital Infections
Genital infections due to E. coli and P. mirabilis.
Septicemia
Septicemia due to S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, P. mirabilis, and E. coli.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis due to S. aureus and S. pyogenes.
Perioperative Prophylaxis
The prophylactic administration of cefazolin preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively may reduce the incidence of certain postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures which are classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated (e.g., vaginal hysterectomy, and cholecystectomy in high-risk patients such as those older than 70 years, with acute cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice, or common duct bile stones).
The perioperative use of cefazolin may also be effective in surgical patients in whom infection at the operative site would present a serious risk (e.g., during open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty).
If there are signs of infection, specimens for cultures should be obtained for the identification of the causative organism so that appropriate therapy may be instituted.[1]
References
- ↑ [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/50461slr139_ancef_lbl.pdf
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Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.