Pronunciation:

sef-oh-TEE-tan

Brand Names:

• Cefotan

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

2nd Generation Cephalosporin

Uses of This Medicine:

Cefotetan injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine is also given before certain types of surgery to prevent infections.

Cefotetan injection belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cefotetan injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefotetan injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefotetan injection.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
• Diarrhea, severe, history of or
• Hemolytic anemia or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles, or through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Hemolytic anemia may occur while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have back, leg, or stomach pains; bleeding gums; chills; dark urine; difficulty with breathing; fever; general body swelling; headache; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; nosebleeds; pale skin; sore throat; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Cefotetan injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving cefotetan injection and for 3 days (72 hours) after your last dose. Drinking alcohol during this period may cause flushing; headache; sweating; and fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

back, leg, or stomach pains

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating

chest pain

chills

cough

dark urine

diarrhea

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficulty with breathing

fever

general body swelling

headache

increased thirst

loss of appetite

nausea or vomiting

nosebleeds

pain

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Rare

Blood in the urine

bluish color

change in frequency of urination or amount of urine

changes in skin color

drowsiness

increased thirst

swelling of the feet or lower legs

tenderness

weakness

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

cough or hoarseness

coughing up blood

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

high fever

increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding

itching

itching of the vagina or genital area

joint or muscle pain

lower back or side pain

nosebleeds

pain during sexual intercourse

paralysis

pinpoint red spots on the skin

prolonged bleeding from cuts

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

red or black, tarry stools

red or dark brown urine

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

seizures

skin rash

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

swollen or painful glands

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

tightness in the chest

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

wheezing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.