CEFOTAXIME 1G POWDER FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION OR INFUSION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. WHAT CEFOTAXIME IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

2. BEFORE YOU USE CEFOTAXIME

3. HOW TO USE CEFOTAXIME

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

5. HOW TO STORE CEFOTAXIME

1. WHAT CEFOTAXIME IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

Cefotaxime is an antibiotic belonging to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics. It is used for the treatment of:

• Bacterial infections of the chest (respiratory tract)
• Complicated infections of the kidneys and upper urinary tract
• Severe infections of the skin and soft tissue
• Genital infections caused by gonococci (gonorrhoea -a sexually transmitted disease), particularly when penicillin has failed or is unsuitable.
• Intra-abdominal infections such as peritonitis ( inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the abdominal wall and covers the organs within)
• Acute bacterial meningitis
• Infection of the blood (septicaemia)

2. before you use cefotaxime

Do not use Cefotaxime if:

• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Cefotaxime or any of the other ingredients of Cefotaxime.
• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to any other cephalosporin type antibiotic
• you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any penicillins.

If you feel uncertain, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take special care with Cefotaxime

Before treatment with Cefotaxime, make sure your doctor knows if:

• you have asthma
• you are allergic to lidocaine or you suffer from heart failure or unpaced heart block
• the solution is to be given to children under 30 months
• you are having blood tests (such as Coombs’ Test or urinary sugar tests)
• you have a history of stomach problems such as colitis
• have ever suffered from kidney problems.
• have allergies, particularly to cephalosporins, penicillins, or similar antibiotics.
• are on a controlled sodium diet.

Newly born babies, infants and children will receive a dose based on their age and bodyweight.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is extremely important, as using more than one medicine at the same time can strengthen or weaken the effect of the medicines.

Cefotaxime may interfere with:

• diuretics (used to increase the flow of urine)
• probenecid
• aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as gentamycin and streptomycin used to treat infections) other antibiotics (such as tetracycline, erythromycin and chloramphenicol)

In some cases your doctor will arrange further monitoring, but this is routine and nothing to worry about.

It is important to tell the doctor that you are taking this medicine if you require any blood, urine or diagnostic tests.

The effect of the contraceptive pill may be decreased during therapy with Cefotaxime. Additional non-hormonal contraceptive precautions should therefore be taken during therapy with Cefotaxime.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Before starting treatment, you must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will then decide whether you should receive Cefotaxime

Mothers who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor who will then advise you on what to do.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Cefotaxime should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Cefotaxime

This medicinal product contains 2.09 mmol (or 48 mg) sodium per dose. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

3. how to use cefotaxime

This medicine will always be administered by a doctor or nurse because it needs to be given either as an injection or by a drip. In adults, Cefotaxime will normally be given twice daily, however in children and neonates Cefotaxime is normally given in 2–4 divided doses.

Children

The usual dosage range is 50–150mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. However, in very severe infections doses of up to 200mg/kg/day in divided doses may be required.

Young babies (neonates):

The recommended dosage is 50mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. In severe infections 150–200mg/kg/day, in divided doses, have been given.

Adults:

The recommended dosage for mild to moderate infections is 1g 12 hourly. However, dosage may be varied according to the severity of the infection and condition of the patient.

The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only

Cefotaxime Sodium 1g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion

TECHNICAL LEAFLET

Trade name of the medicinal product

Cefotaxime 1g Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion.

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each vial contains Cefotaxime sodium equivalent to 1g cefotaxime. Also contains 48mg (2.09mmol) of sodium per vial. For a full list of excipients, see ‘List of excipients’.

Pharmaceutical form

White or slightly creamy powder.

Powder for solution for injection or infusion.

CLINICAL PARTICULARS

Therapeutic indications

Cefotaxime is indicated for the treatment of the following severe infections when known or thought very likely to be due to bacteria that are susceptible to cefotaxime (see ‘Pharmacodynamic properties’):

• Bacterial pneumonia; cefotaxime is not active against bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia or against several other bacterial species that may cause pneumonia, including P. aeruginosa (see ‘Pharmacodynamic properties’).
• Complicated infections of the kidneys and upper urinary tract.
• Severe infections of the skin and soft tissue
• Genital infections caused by gonococci, particularly when penicillin has failed or is unsuitable
• Intra-abdominal infections (such as peritonitis). Cefotaxime should be used in combination with an antibiotic that is active against anaerobes in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
• Acute bacterial meningitis (particularly if due to

H. influenzae, N. meningitides, S. pneumoniae, E. coli, Klebsiella spp.)

• Septicaemia infections originating from the lungs, urinary tract, or bowel (in case of gram-negative organisms a combination with another suitable antibiotic should be considered).

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

Posology and method of administration

Cefotaxime may be administered by intravenous bolus injection, by intravenous infusion, by intramuscular injection after reconstitution of the solution according to the directions given below. Dosage and mode of administration should be determined by the severity of the infection, susceptibility of the causative organism and the patient’s con­dition. Therapy may be started before the results of sensitivity tests are known.

Adults and children over 12 years

The usual dose in adults is for mild to moderate infections is 2 to 6g daily. However, dosage may be varied according to the severity of the infection, sensitivity of the causative organisms and conditions of the patient.

Guidelines for dosage:

Typical infection in presence (or suspicion) of a sensitive micro-organism: 1g every 12 hours corresponding to a total daily dosage of 2g intramuscularly or intravenously.

Infection in the presence (or suspicion) of sensitive or moderatively sensitive multiple micro-organisms: 1–2g every 12 hours corresponding to a total daily dosage of 2–4g.

Severe infection by unidentified micro-organisms or for infections that cannot be localized: 2–3g as a single dose every 6 to 8 hours up to a maximum daily dosage of 12g.

A combination of cefotaxime and other antibiotics in indicated in severe infections.

Infants and children up to 12 years

The usual dosage for infants and children <50 kg is 50150 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. In very severe infections up to 200 mg/kg/day in divided doses may be required. In infants and children >50 kg the usual dose in adults, without exceeding the maximum daily dose of 12 g should be given.

Newborn infants and premature infants

The recommended dosage is 50 mg/kg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses. In case of life-threatening situations it may be necessary to increase the daily dose. In severe infections 150–200 mg/kg/day have been given: in those situations the following table may serve as a guide, since there are differences in kidney maturation.

Elderly

No dosage adjustment is required, provided that renal and hepatic function are normal.

Other recommendations

Gonorrhoea:

For gonorrhoea, a single injection (intramuscularly or intravenously) of 0.5g to 1 g cefotaxime. For complicated infections, consideration should be given to available official guidelines. Syphilis should be excluded before initiating treatment.

Urinary tract infections:

In uncomplicated UTI 1 g every 12 hours.

Bacterial meningitis:

In adults, daily doses of 6 to 12 g and in children daily doses of 150 to 200 mg/kg divided in equal doses every 6 to 8 hours are recommended. For the new-born, 50 mg/kg of cefotaxime can be given every 12 hours to infants 0–7 days old and every 8 hours to those 7–28 days old.

Intra-abdominal infections:

Intra-abdominal infection should be treated with Cefotaxime in combination with other appropriate antibiotics.

Duration of therapy

The duration of therapy with Cefotaxime depends on the clinical condition of the patient and varies according to the course of the disease. Administration of Cefotaxime should be continued until symptoms have subsided or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained. Treatment over at least 10 days is necessary in infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (parenteral therapy may be switched to an adequate oral therapy before the end of the 10 day period).

Dosage in renal function impairment

In adult patients with a creatinine clearance of < 5 ml/min, the initial dose is similar to the recommended usual dose should be halved without change in the frequency of dosing.

Dosage in dialysis or peritoneal dialysis

In patients on haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis an i.v. injection of 0.5–2 g, given at the end of each dialysis session and repeated every 24 hours, is sufficient to treat most infections efficaciously.

Method of administration

In order to prevent any risk of infection, the preparation of the infusion should be done in close aseptic conditions. Do not delay the infusion after the preparation of the solution.

• Intravenous infusion

For short intravenous infusion 1g or Cefotaxime should be dissolved in 40–50 ml Water for Injections or in another compatible fluid (e.g. glucose 10%). After preparation the solution should be given as a 20 minute intravenous infusion.

• For long lasting intravenous infusion 2 g Cefotaxime should be dissolved in 100 ml of Water for Injections or another suitable fluid, e.g. 0.9% sodium chloride or isotonic glucose solution or other compatible fluids for infusions. After preparation, the solution may be given as a 50–60 minute intravenous infusion.
• Intravenous injection

For intravenous injection Cefotaxime 1 g should be dissolved in 4 ml Water for Injections, Cefotaxime 2 g should be dissolved in 10 ml Water for Injections and should be injected over 3–5 minutes.

• Intramuscular injection

Cefotaxime 1.0 g is dissolved in the 4ml Water for Injections. The solution should be administered by deep intramuscular injection. In order to prevent pain from the injection Cefotaxime 1.0 g may be dissolved in 4 ml % Lidocaine Hydrochloride (only for adults). Solutions with lidocaine must not be administered intravenously. If the total daily dose is more than 2g, then intravenous administration should be chosen. In the case of severe infections, intramuscular injection is not recommended.

The following table shows the volume of dilution

Contraindications

• Cefotaxime should not be used in patients with a known or suspected hypersensitivity to cefotaxime or cephalosporins.
• Special care is indicated in patients who have had an anaphylactic response to penicillin. Preliminary enquiry about hypersensitivity to penicillin and other lactam antibiotics is necessary before prescribing cephalosporins since cross allergy occurs in 5–10% of cases. In case of allergic reaction, the treatment should be stopped immediately.
• Patients with severe renal dysfunction may need dosage adjustment (see sections 4.2 – Posology and method of administration).
• Cefotaxime should be used with caution in patients with allergic diathesis and asthma.
• As with other broad-spectrum antibiotics, prolonged used may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, which may require interruption of treatment. If super-infection occurs during treatment, specific antimicrobial therapy should be instituted if considered clinically necessary.
• Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop severe diarrhea during or after antiobiotic use. The presence of C. difficile toxin should be investigated and treatment with cefotaxime stopped in cases of suspected colitis. The diagnosis can be confirmed by toxin detection and antibiotic therapy (e.g. oral vancomycin or metronidazole) should be initiated if considered clinically necessary. The administration of products which cause foecal stasis should be avoided.
• Since haematological abnormalities may develop during treatment with cefotaxime, blood count should be monitored if treatment lasts for longer than 7 days. In case of neutropenia (< 1400 neutrophil­s/mm3), treatments should be interrupted.
• Do not mix aminoglycosides and cefotaxime in the same syringe of liquids for perfusion.
• Fast infusion in a central vein can cause arrhythmia
• The sodium content of cefotaxime (2.09mmol/g) should be taken into account when prescribing to patients requiring sodium retention.
• Cefotaxime constituted with lidocaine must never be used: – by the intravenous route

• – in infants under 30 months

• – in subjects with a previous history of hypersensitivity to this product

• – in patients who have an unpaced heart block – in patients with severe heart failure.

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

With other medicaments:

• Concomitant administration of probenecid leads to an increase and prolongation of serum concentrations of cefotaxime by inhibition of renal elimination of cefotaxime.
• The efficacy of oral contraceptives may be decreased during concomitant use of cefotaxime. Therefore during therapy with Cefotaxime additional contraceptive measured should be used.
• Concurrent treatment with high doses of cephalosporins and nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides or potent diuretics (e.g. furosemide) may adversely affect renal function. The monitoring of the renal function if strictly recommended.
• Cefotaxime should not be combined with bacteriostatic antibiotics (e.g. tetracyclines, erythromycin and chloramphenicol) since an antagonistic effect is possible.

Other forms of interaction:

• As with other cephalosporins a positive Coombs’ test has been found in some patients treated with cefotaxime. This phenomenon can interfere with the cross-matching of blood.
• A false-positive reaction to glucose may occur with reducing substances (Benedict’s or Fehling’s solution, or with Clinitest tablets) but not with the use of specific enzyme-based tests (glucose oxidase methods).

Pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate data to assess possible harmfulness of cefotaxime during pregnancy. To date, animal experiments show no indication for adverse effects. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. Cefotaxime is excreted in human milk in low concentrations. Use during lactation can lead in infants to an effect on the physiological intestinal flora with diarrhoea, to Saccharomyces colinisation and may also lead to desensitization. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue treatment taking into account the importance of cefotaxime to the nursing woman.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines There have been no reports of the effects of Cefotaxime on the ability to drive.

Undesirable effects

Very common (>1/10), common (>1/100, <1/10), uncommon (>1/1000, <1/100), rare (>1/10000, <1/1000), very rare (<1/10000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Infections and infestations

Rare

• Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms (see section 4.4 – Special warnings and precautions for use).

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Rare

• Granulocytopenia and more rarely agranulocytosis, may develop during treatment with cefotaxime, particularly if given over long periods. A few cases of eosinophilia and neutropenia have been observed, but these were reversible when treatment was ceased. Rare cases of haemolytic anaemia have been reported. Rare cases of thrombocytopenia have been recorded, but these were rapidly reversible on withdrawal of treatment. It is therefore recommended that blood count should be monitored if treatment lasts for longer than 7 days.

Nervous system disorders

Rare

Administration of high doses of antibiotic belonging to this group (particularly in patients with renal insufficiency) may result in encephalopathy, which may result in dizziness, convulsions and fatigue.

Cardiac disorders

Very rare

• A very small number of cases of arrhythmia have occurred following rapid bolus infusion through a central venous catheter.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common

• Commonly, patients receiving cefotaxime experience gastrointestinal disturbance such as candidasis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea. If severe and persistent diarrhea occurs, pseudomenbranous colitis should be considered. In cases or suspicion of pseudomenranous colitis, treatment with cefotaxime should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should be initiated.

Hepato-biliary disorders

Rare

• Moderate and transient increase in bilirubin, liver transaminase and other enzymes has been observed rarely (ALT, AST, LDH, GGT, alkaline phosphatase).

Skin and cutaneous tissue disorders

Common

• Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported, these include cutaneous reactions such as skin rashes, pruritus, urticaria
• Drug fever

Very rare

• Erythema multiforme exsudativum,
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Anaphylactic shock (see section 4.9 Overdose) In patients with allergic diathesis, hypersensitivity reactions after administration of Cefotaxime are more likely to occur. During therapy of infections with spirochetes, a Herxheimer-like reaction may occur.

This may result in fever, shivering, headache and joint pain.

Renal and urinary disorders

Rare

• There may be a temporary increase in creatinine and urea in the serum

Very rare

• There have been very rare reports of reversible interstitial nephritis.

General disorderand administration site conditions

Common

• Transient and local pain may be experienced at the site of injection. This is more likely to occur with higher doses. Phlebitis has been reported in patients receiving intravenous cefotaxime. However, this has rarely been a cause for discontinuation of treatment.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at:.

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T. 91 697 65 02

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In severe infections dosage may be increased up to 12g daily given in 3 or 4 divided doses.

Dosage in Gonorrhoea:

A single injection of Cefotaxime may be administered intramuscularly or intravenously. It can also be given by intravenous infusion over 20 minutes.

If you use more Cefotaxime than you should:

It is most unlikely that you will be given too much medicine by the nurse or doctor. Your doctor and nurse will be monitoring your progress, and checking the medicine that you are given. Always ask if you are not sure why you are getting a dose of medicine.

If you forget to use Cefotaxime:

Your doctor or nurse have instructions when to give you your medicine. It is most unlikely that you will not be given the medicine as it has been prescribed. If you think that you may have missed a dose then talk to your nurse or doctor. It is important that the course of treatment your doctor has prescribed is taken. You may start to feel better but it is important not to stop taking this medicine, until the doctor advises, otherwise your condition may get worse again.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, Cefotaxime can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

Contact your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately if you experience swelling of the face and/or throat when given Cefotaxime, since this may be due to a serious allergic reaction.

The following side effects may occur in some patients during treatment:

Very common: affects more than 1 user in 10 Common: affects 1 to 10 users in 100 Uncommon: affects 1 to 10 users in 1000 Rare: affects 1 to 10 users in 10000 Very rare: affects less than 1 user in 10000 Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

Common side effects

Stomach problems:

• Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick), candidiasis. You may develop severe and persistent diarrhoea, during or after treatment, especially if you notice blood or mucous (manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis)

Skin problems:

• Skin rash, itching, hives (urticaria), allergic reactions and swelling of the neck, face or throat.

Injection site problems:

• Pain, redness and swelling.
• Other problems: Drug fever

Rare side effects

Blood problems:

• Changes in the amount of blood cells. This may cause sore throat and mouth ulcers. If your treatment is more than 7 days your doctor should monitor your blood counts. Cefotaxime may also lead to increased risk of infection. Your doctor may carry out blood tests to identify the specific problem with your blood.

Nervous system problems:

• Patients with kidney problems may experience dizziness, convulsions and fatigue when taking high doses of Cefotaxime.

Liver problems:

• moderate and transient increase in liver enzymes (increase in bilirubin, liver transaminase and rarely increase in ALT,AST,LDH,GGT)

Kidney problems:

• Temporary increase in kidney function parameters (serum creatinine, urea)

Very rare side effects

Heart problems

• Your heart may flutter.

Kidney problems

• Dark discoloration of urine, bloody or cloudy urine or any change in your urine output (this may be due to a condition called interstitial nephritis)

Other

• Fever, thrush, a furry tongue, headache, joint pain, move abnormally or involuntary muscle contractions, breathing difficulties and feel tired.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.how to store cefotaxime

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use Cefotaxime after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Always keep this medicine in the closed original pack, in order to protect from light.

Do not store above 25’C.

Once reconstituted, this medicine should be used immediately.

This medicine is for single use only: discard any remaining solution immediately after use.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

• 6.FURTHER INFORMATION

What Cefotaxime contains

The active ingredient is Cefotaxime Sodium.

Cefotaxime 1g powder for solution for injection or infusion contains Cefotaxime sodium equivalent to 1 g of Cefotaxime.

Cefotaxime 2g powder for solution for injection or infusion contains 2 g of Cefotaxime sodium Ph. Eur., equivalent to 2 g of Cefotaxime base.

There are no other ingredients.

What Cefotaxime looks like and contents of the pack

Cefotaxime is a white or slightly creamy powder which forms a straw-coloured solution on reconstitution.

Cefotaxime 1g powder for injection or infusion is available in packs of 10 or 50 vials.

Cefotaxime 2g powder for injection or infusion is available in packs of 10 vials. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Manufacturer:

Laboratorio Reig Jofre, S.A.

Gran Capitan, 10– 08970 Sant Joan Despi', Barcelona, Spain

Marketing Authorization Holder:

Reig Jofre UK Limited

Unit 9A Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Caddsdown Industrial Park,

Bideford, Devon, EX39 3DX, UK

For any information about this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder.

This leaflet was last revised 11/2020

Overdose

Symptoms of intoxication

Cefotaxime has a wide margin of safety. Cases of acute intoxication with cefotaxime have not been published. Symptoms of overdose may largely correspond to the profile of side effects.

In cases of overdosage (particularly in renal insufficiency) there is a risk of reversible encephalopathy.

Therapy of intoxication

There is no specific antidote for overdose. Serum levels of cefotaxime can be reduced by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Therapy of hypersensitivity reactions

Anaphylactic shock requires immediate countermeasures. Upon first signs of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. cutaneous reactions such as skin rashes or urticaria, headache, nausea, restlessness) the administration of Cefotaxime should be discontinued. In cases of severe hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylactic reactions, emergency treatment should be initiated, such as administration of epinephrine and / or glucocorticoids.

According to the clinical severity additional therapeutic measures may be required (e.g. artificial breathing, application of histamine-receptor antagonists). In cases of circulatory collapse, resuscitation must be initiated according to the current guidelines.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacodynamic properties

ATC Code: J01D A10

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Beta-lactam antibiotics, cephalosporins

General properties

Cefotaxime is a third generation broad spectrum bactericidal cephalosporin antibiotic. The bactericidal properties are due to the inhibitory effect of cefotaxime on bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Breakpoints

According to the EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) Clinical MIC breakpoints (v 2.0, dated 25–05–2009) the following breakpoints have been identified for cefotaxime:

Susceptibility

The prevalence of resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable particularly when treating severe infections. This information gives only an approximate guidance on the probabilities whether micro-organisms will be susceptible to cefotaxime or not.

Species

Susceptible
Gram-positive aerobes

Staphylococcus aureus (Methicillin-susceptible)

Group A Streptococci (including Streptococcus pyogenes)

Group B Streptococci

,–hemolytic Streptococci (Group C,F, G)

Streptococcus pneumoniae$

Viridans Group Streptococci

Gram negative aerobes

Citrobacter spp.

Escherichia coli

Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus parainfluenzae

Klebsiella spp.

Moraxella catarrhalis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria meningitides

Proteus spp.

Providencia spp.

Yersinia enterocolitica

Anaerobes

Clostridium spp. (not Clostridium difficile)

Peptostreptococcus spp.

Propionibacterium spp.

Others

Borrelia spp.

Resistant

Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus spp.

Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecium

Listeria spp.

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE)

Gram-negative aerobes

Acinetobacter spp.

Citrobacter spp.

Enterobacter spp.

Morganella morganii

Pseudomonas spp.

Serratia spp.

Xanthomonas maltophilia

Anaerobes

Bacteroides spp.

Clostridium difficile

Others

Clamydiae

Mycoplasma spp.

Legionella pneumophilia

Methicillin-(oxacillin) resistant staphylococci (MRSA) are resistant to all currently available b-lactam antiobiotics, including cefotaxime.

Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae show a variable degree of cross-resistance to cephalosporins such as cefotaxime.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Cefotaxime is for parenteral application. Mean peak concentrations 5 minutes after intravenous injection are about 81–102 mg/l following a 1 g dose cefotaxime and about 167–214 mg/l 8 minutes after a 2 g dose. Intramuscular injection produces mean peak plasma concentrations of 20 mg/l within 30 minutes following a 1 g dose.

Distribution

Cefotaxime gives good penetration into different compartments. Therapeutic drug levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory levels for common pathogens can rapidly be achieved. Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations are low when the meninges are not inflamed but cefotaxime usually passes the blood-brain barrier in levels above the MIC of the sensitive pathogens when the meninges are inflamed (3–30 pg/ml). Cefotaxime concentrations (0.2–5.4 pg/ml), inhibitory for most Gram-negative bacteria, are attained in purulent sputum, bronchial secretions and pleural fluid after doses of 1 or 2 g. Concentrations likely to be effective against most sensitive organisms are similarly attained in female reproductive organs, otitis media effusions, prostatic tissue, interstitial fluid, peritoneal fluid and gall bladder wall, after therapeutic doses. High concentrations of cefotaxime and O-desacetyl-cefotaxime are attained in bile. Cefotaxime passes the placenta and attains high concentrations in foetal fluid and tisues (up to 6 mg/kg). Small amounts of cefotaxime diffuses into the breast milk.

Protein binding for cefotaxime is approximately 25–40%. The apparent distribution volume for cefotaxime is 21–37 l after 1g intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.

Biotransformation

Cefotaxime is partly metabolized in human beings. Approximately 15–25% of a parenteral dose is metabolized to the O-desacetylcefotaxime metabolite, which also has antibiotic properties.

Elimination

The main route of excretion of cefotaxime and O-desacetylcefotaxime is the kidney. Only a small amount (2%) of cefotaxime is excreted in the bile. In the urine collected within 6 hours 40–60% of the administered dose of cefotaxime is recovered as unchanged cefotaxime and 20% is found as O-desacetlycefo­taxime. After administration of radioactive labeled cefotaxime more than 80% can be recovered in the urine, 50–60% of this fraction is unchanged cefotaxime and the rest contains metabolites. The total clearance of cefotaxime is 240–390 ml/min and the renal clearance is 130–150 ml/min.

The serum half-lives of cefotaxime and O-desacetylcafotaxime are normally about 50–80 and 90 minutes respectively. In the elderly, the serum half-life of cefotaxime is 120–150 min.

In patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance 3–10ml/min) the serum half-life of cefotaxime can be increased to 2.5–3.6 hours.

In neonates, the pharmacokinetics are influenced by gestation and chronological age, the half-life being prolonged in premature and low birth weight neonates of the same age.

Preclinical safety data

Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeat dose toxicity, genotoxicity, and toxicity to reproduction. Cefotaxime passes through the placenta. After intravenous administration of 1 g cefotaxime during the birth values of 14 pg/ml were measures in the umbilical cord serum in the first 90 minutes after application, which dropped to approximately 2.5 pg/ml by the end of the second hour after application. In the amniotic fluid, the highest concentration of 6.9 pg/ml was measured after 3–4 hours. This value exceeds the MIC for most gram-negative bacteria.

PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

List of excipients

None.

Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in ‘Special precautions for disposal and other handling’.

Shelf life

Vial before opening: 2 years.

Vial after first opening: The product should be used immediately.

After reconstitution: The product should be used immediately.

From a microbiological point of view, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user and would normally not be longer than 24 hours at 2 to 8°C, unless reconstitution has taken place in controlled and validated aseptic conditions.

Special precautions for use

Unopened: Do not store above 25°C. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions of the reconstituted medicinal product, see ‘Shelf life’.

Nature and contents of container

Type II transparent glass vial, with a bromobutyl stopper and a flip off aluminum and polypropylene cap.

Packs of 10 or 50 vials.

Special precautions for disposal

Cefotaxime is supplied as a white to slightly creamy powder, which when dissolved in Water for Injections Ph. Eur. forms a straw-coloured solution suitable for IV or IM injection. Variations in the intensity of colour of the freshly prepared solution do not indicate a change in potency or safety.

Whilst it is preferable to use only freshly prepared solutions for both intravenous and intramuscular injection, Cefotaxime is compatible with several commonly used intravenous infusion fluids:

• – Water for Injections Ph. Eur.

• – Sodium Chloride Injection BP.

• – 5% Dextrose Injection BP.

• – Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection BP.

• – Compound Sodium Lactate Injection BP (Ringer-lactate Injection).