Drug name: Cefazolin
Other names used:
- Ancef®
- Cefacidal®
- Cefamezin®
- Cefrina®
- Elzogram®
- Kefazol®
- Kefol®
- Kefzol®
- Kefzolan®
- Kezolin®
- Novaporin®
- Zolicef®
Active Ingredients:
- cefazolin
Therapeutic effect of Cefazolin: Cefazolin is part of the Beta-lactam antibiotics and is used to treat bacterial infections. Cefazolin like other antibiotics inhibits the development of cell wall of the bacteria by interfering in the manufacture of peptidoglycan. By interfering with the production of this compound Cefazolin prevents the formation of cell wall and thereby restricting the growth and multiplication of bacteria.
Cefazolin is very effective against gram-positive bacteria like B.antracis, Corynebacterium diphtheria, Pneumoncoccus, Streptococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. This drug is also used against gram-negative bacteria like Klebsiella, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, N. gonorrhoeae, and N. meningitides. Cefazolin is ineffective against anaerobic microorganisms, Proteus, M. tuberculosis, and P. aeruginisa.
Indications: Cefazolin is used to treat the following conditions:
- Cefazolin is used to treat infections caused during surgery
- Inflammation of the inner layer of the heart
- Infections of the joints and bones
- Biliary tract infection
- Infection of the skin and soft tissue
- Infection in the urinary tract
- Infections of the respiratory passage that causes inflammation of the air passage or infection of the lungs
Precautions and Restrictions: Avoid using Cefazolin under the following circumstances:
- If you have previous history of allergic reactions caused because of Cefazolin or similar substances
- If you are pregnant or a breast feeding mother
- If the user is a young infant
Consult a doctor before using Cefazolin if you have the following:
- Digestive diseases
- Kidney disorder
- Liver disorder
- Cefazolin may falsely show the presence of glucose in urine when actually there is none.
Side effects of Cefazolin: The use of Cefazolin to correct a specific disorder may cause certain adverse effects in certain users. Some of the potential side effects of Cefazolin include the following:
- Use of Cefazolin for a long time may cause Candidosis, Superinfection, and Dysbacteriosis
- It may cause digestive disorders like infection of the large intestine, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea
- It may cause allergic reactions such as arthralgia, anaphylactic shock, Quencke's edema, itching and skin rashes
The above mentioned side effects are by no means exhaustive, so for the complete list of adverse reactions and possible side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a pharmacist.
Interactions: Certain medicinal substances when taken along with Cefazolin can react with them and increase or decrease or cause a totally unintended effect. This can be best avoided by consulting a doctor before taking Cefazolin. It is also a good idea to mention the medicines or treatment you are currently under.
Some of the drugs that can react with Cefazolin:
- Blood thinners
- Medicines that promote the formation of urine
- Do not use Cefazolin with Probenecid
Additional Information: These drugs should not be used without prior approval of a doctor and do not share these drugs with anybody else. Cefazolin is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs, needles, syringes and other such medical substances out of the reach of children.
