It's no secret that semi-synthetic antibiotics have a wide spectrum of action. Such drugs are used to treat various inflammatory and infectious diseases. But before prescribing such a medication, the doctor should recommend that the patient undergo a medical examination. This is the only way to understand which antibiotic will be effective in treating a particular disease.
For the treatment of the genitourinary system, as well as the respiratory tract, injections of "Cefotaxime" are actively used. We will consider the features of this drug, its contraindications, dosage and method of administration a little further.
Composition, description, form and packaging of the medicine
What ingredients does Cefotaxime contain? Injections (for children, the dosage of this remedy is set individually) include such an active substance as cefotaxime (sodium s alt).
The drug itself is a white or yellowish powder, which is used to prepare a solution intended for intravenous or intramuscular injection.
Medicationavailable in glass bottles packaged in cartons.
Pharmacological properties
Do you know what Cefotaxime is? Instructions for use (injections for children are not an easy test, but what if such a need is ripe?) Says that the drug is prescribed for small patients with extreme caution, because it is a semi-synthetic antibiotic. Its active substance is classified as a third-generation cephalosporin.
The drug is used parenterally. It is active against gram-positive flora, as well as gram-negative microorganisms, which are highly resistant to the effects of aminoglycosides, sulfonamides and penicillin.
The principle of the antimicrobial action of this drug is based on its ability to inhibit transpeptidase activity. This happens due to the blocking of peptidoglycan.
Kinetic features of the drug
How is Cefotaxime absorbed? Annotation (injections are the only form of the mentioned medicine) indicates that after intramuscular injection, the highest concentration of the drug in the blood is observed after 35 minutes. Approximately 27-40% of the active substance binds to plasma proteins.
The bactericidal effect of the drug lasts for 12 hours. The drug is found in the gallbladder, myocardium, bone and soft tissues.
It is impossible not to say that the active component of this drug is able to penetratethrough the placenta and also in pleural, peritoneal, synovial, cerebrospinal and pericardial fluids.
About 90% of the drug is excreted in the urine.
With intramuscular injection, the half-life of the drug is 60-90 minutes, and with intravenous injections - 1 hour. The partially active ingredient is excreted in the bile. There is no drug accumulation.
Indications for use
For what diseases should the antibiotic "Cefotaxime" be used? Instructions for use (injections, the price of which is indicated below, should only be prescribed by a doctor) states that this medication is indicated in the presence of infectious diseases.
It is very often used in the following pathologies of the respiratory system:
- pneumonia;
- pleurisy;
- abscesses;
- bronchitis.
Also, the remedy under consideration is effective when:
- bacterial meningitis;
- endocarditis;
- postoperative complications;
- septicemia;
- soft tissue and bone infections;
- Lyme disease;
- diseases of the urinary tract, throat, ear, nose, kidneys;
- joint and bone infections;
- abdominal infections;
- infections caused by immunodeficiency.
It should also be noted that Cefotaxime injections are often prescribed to prevent infections that have developed after surgical interventions (includingurological, obstetric-gynecological, on the gastrointestinal tract, etc.).
Contraindications to the use of the drug
About how to dilute the injection of "Cefotaxime", we will tell a little lower. It should be noted that this remedy does not have a very long list of contraindications. According to the instructions, such a medication is not prescribed for:
- bleeding;
- pregnancy;
- individual hypersensitivity to the active ingredient;
- enterocolitis (including history).
Can I administer Cefotaxime solution to a child? Injections for children (reviews on the effectiveness of the mentioned medication will be presented at the end of the article) are allowed to be done only after the patient reaches the age of 2.5 years (for intramuscular injection).
With special care, the drug is prescribed to newborn babies, during breastfeeding (since the drug is excreted in small amounts with mother's milk), as well as in the presence of chronic renal failure and UC (including a history).
In case of pathology of the renal and hepatic systems, the patient needs to undergo an additional medical examination in order to obtain a conclusion that there are no contraindications to antibiotic therapy.
Drug "Cefotaxime": instructions for use (injections)
How to dilute the powder correctly? To answer this question, refer to the attached instructions. It describes detailed methods for preparing injection solutions.
Yes, for intravenousadministration (injection) of the drug 1 g of powder is diluted with 4 ml of water for injection (sterile). The finished medication is injected slowly over 4-7 minutes.
For intravenous infusion, 1-2 g of powder is diluted with 50 or 100 ml of solvent. As it is used 0.9% sodium chloride solution or 5% glucose (dextrose) solution. The duration of such an introduction is 55-65 minutes.
For intramuscular administration of a drug, 1 g of powder is dissolved in 4 ml of solvent. As it is used water for injection or 1% solution of lidocaine.
Thus, the drug in question can be administered intravenously by drip or jet, as well as intramuscularly.
The drug is usually prescribed for adult patients, as well as adolescents over 12 years of age weighing more than 50 kg. When urgently needed, it is used to treat young children.
Drug dosage
Now you know how you can dilute Cefotaxime injections. But what is their dosage? It depends on the indication and the severity of the disease.
For urinary tract infections, as well as for uncomplicated infections, the drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly, 1 g every 9-12 hours.
For moderate infections, 1-2 g every 12 hours.
For uncomplicated acute gonorrhea, the drug is administered intramuscularly at a dosage of 1 g (once).
In severe infections (eg, meningitis), the drug is used intravenously at 2 g every 6-9 hours. The maximum dose per day is 12 g. The duration of therapy is set individually.
To prevent the development of infectious diseases before surgery, the patient during induction of anesthesia is given a single dose of Cefotaxime at a dosage of 1 g. If required, the injection is repeated after 6-12 hours.
In case of caesarean section, in the process of clamping the umbilical vein, the drug is administered intravenously in the amount of 1 g. Then, after 6-12 hours, an additional injection is given in the same dose.
Instruction for kids
If necessary, injections of "Cefotaxime" to newborns, as well as premature babies under the age of one week, are prescribed intravenously in the amount of 50 mg per kg of body weight every 12 hours. At the age of 1-4 weeks, the drug is administered at the same dose, but every 9 hours.
Children over 2.5 years old weighing less than 50 kg are prescribed intramuscularly or intravenously in the amount of 50-180 mg per kg of body weight (in 4 or 6 injections).
In severe infectious diseases, including meningitis, the daily dosage of the drug is increased to 100-200 mg per kg. In this case, injections are carried out intramuscularly or intravenously in the amount of 4-6 times a day. The maximum dose of the drug per day is 12 g.
Side effects
Against the background of the use of the drug "Cefotaxime", patients may develop local reactions such as:
- pain when administered intramuscularly;
- phlebitis developing with intravenous infusion.
Also canthe following undesirable effects are noted:
- cholestatic jaundice, pseudomembranous colitis;
- hepatitis, nausea, hypoprothrombinemia;
- increased ALT, AST, hemolytic anemia;
- diarrheal syndrome, decreased platelet count;
- vomiting, neutropenia.
In rare cases, allergic responses (eosinophil increase, angioedema and pruritus), as well as interstitial nephritis and candidiasis, are possible.
If other negative effects are observed, medical assistance and self-withdrawal of the drug is required.
Price and analogues of the antibiotic
The cost of the drug in question depends on the margin of the network and the region of sales. On average, ampoules-vials (5 pieces of 1 g each) can be bought for 160-170 rubles.
If necessary, this medication can be replaced with such similar means as Klaforan, Cefabol and Cefosin.
However, it should be immediately noted that these medicines can be used only after consulting a doctor.
Antibiotic reviews
In pediatric practice, this medication is often prescribed as an antimicrobial agent. As a rule, this is done in cases where other antibiotics do not give a positive therapeutic effect.
Consumer reviews of Cefotaxime injections are more positive. Patient reports confirm its high antimicrobial efficacy. However, you can also find such responses that directly state the presence ofa large number of negative reactions observed after treatment (bloating, dysbacteriosis, colic, and others).
