Get your patient on Cefazolin - Cefazolin injection, Powder, For Solution (Cefazolin)
Cefazolin - Cefazolin injection, Powder, For Solution prescribing information
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Cefazolin for Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of the following serious infections due to susceptible organisms:
Respiratory Tract Infections: due to S. penumoniae, Klebsiella species, H. Influenzae, S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant) and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci . Injectable benzathine penicillin is considered to be the drug of choice in treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections, including the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever.
Cefazolin for Injection, USP is effective in the eradication of streptococci from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of Cefazolin for Injection, USP in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available.
Urinary Tract Infections: due to E. coli, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella species, and some strains of enterobacter and enterococci .
Skin and Skin Structure Infections: due to S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant), group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, and other strains of streptococci.
Biliary Tract Infections: due to E. coli , various strains of streptococci, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella species and S. aureus .
Bone and Joint Infections: due to S. aureus .
Genital Infections: (i.e., prostatitis, epididymitis) due to E. coli, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella species, and some strains of enterococci .
Septicemia: due to S. pneumoniae , S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant), P. mirabilis , E. coli, and Klebsiella species.
Endocarditis: due to S. aureus (penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant) and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci .
Perioperative Prophylaxis: The prophylactic administration of Cefazolin for Injection, USP 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 for Injection, USP 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).
The prophylactic administration of Cefazolin for Injection, USP should usually be discontinued within a 24 hour period after the surgical procedure. In surgery where the occurrence of infection may be particularly devastating (e.g., open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty), the prophylactic administration of Cefazolin for Injection, USP may be continued for 3 to 5 days following the completion of surgery.
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 (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ).
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefazolin for Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Cefazolin for Injection, USP 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.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Usual Adult Dosage
Type of Infection | Dose | Frequency |
Moderate to severe infections | 500 mg to 1 gram | every 6 to 8 hours |
Mild infections caused by susceptible gram-positive cocci | 250 mg to 500 mg | every 8 hours |
Acute, uncomplicated urinary tract infections | 1 gram | every 12 hours |
Pneumococcal pneumonia | 500 mg | every 12 hours |
Severe, life-threatening infections (e.g., endocarditis, septicemia) In rare instances, doses of up to 12 grams of Cefazolin for Injection per day have been used. | 1 gram to 1.5 grams | every 6 hours |
Perioperative Prophylactic Use
To prevent postoperative infection in contaminated or potentially contaminated surgery, recommended doses are:
- 1 gram IV administered ½ hour to 1 hour prior to the start of surgery.
- For lengthy operative procedures (e.g., 2 hours or more), 500 mg to 1 gram IV during surgery (administration modified depending on the duration of the operative procedure).
- 500 mg to 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours for 24 hours postoperatively.
It is important that (1) the preoperative dose be given just (1/2 to 1 hour) prior to the start of surgery so that adequate antibiotic levels are present in the serum and tissues at the time of initial surgical incision; and (2) Cefazolin for Injection be administered, if necessary, at appropriate intervals during surgery to provide sufficient levels of the antibiotic at the anticipated moments of greatest exposure to infective organisms.
In surgery where the occurrence of infection may be particularly devastating (e.g., open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty), the prophylactic administration of Cefazolin for Injection may be continued for 3 to 5 days following the completion of surgery.
Dosage Adjustment for Patients with Reduced Renal Function
Cefazolin for Injection may be used in patients with reduced renal function with the following dosage adjustments: Patients with a creatinine clearance of 55 mL/min or greater or a serum creatinine of 1.5 mg % or less can be given full doses. Patients with creatinine clearance rates of 35 to 54 mL/min or serum creatinine of 1.6 to 3 mg % can also be given full doses but dosage should be restricted to at least 8 hour intervals. Patients with creatinine clearance rates of 11 to 34 mL/min or serum creatinine of 3.1 to 4.5 mg % should be given 1/2 the usual dose every 12 hours. Patients with creatinine clearance rates of 10 mL/min or less or serum creatinine of 4.6 mg % or greater should be given 1/2 the usual dose every 18 to 24 hours. All reduced dosage recommendations apply after an initial loading dose appropriate to the severity of the infection. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis: See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY .
Pediatric Dosage
In pediatric patients, a total daily dosage of 25 to 50 mg/kg (approximately 10 to 20 mg/lb) of body weight, divided into 3 or 4 equal doses, is effective for most mild to moderately severe infections. Total daily dosage may be increased to 100 mg/kg (45 mg/lb) of body weight for severe infections. Since safety for use in premature infants and in neonates has not been established, the use of Cefazolin for Injection in these patients is not recommended.
In pediatric patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 70 to 40 mL/min), 60% of the normal daily dose given in equally divided doses every 12 hours should be sufficient. In patients with moderate impairment (creatinine clearance of 40 to 20 mL/min), 25% of the normal daily dose given in equally divided doses every 12 hours should be adequate. Pediatric patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 20 to 5 mL/min) may be given 10% of the normal daily dose every 24 hours. All dosage recommendations apply after an initial loading dose.
RECONSTITUTION
Preparation of Parenteral Solution
Parenteral drug products should be SHAKEN WELL when reconstituted, and inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. If particulate matter is evident in reconstituted fluids, the drug solutions should be discarded.
Reconstituted solutions may range in color from pale yellow to yellow without a change in potency.
Directions for Proper Use of a Pharmacy Bulk Package
Not for direct infusion. This Pharmacy Bulk Package is for use in a hospital pharmacy admixture service only in a suitable work area, such as a laminar flow hood. Using aseptic technique, the container closure may be penetrated only one time after reconstitution using a suitable sterile dispensing set or transfer device that allows measured dispensing of the contents. Use of a syringe and needle is not recommended as it may cause leakage. The withdrawal of container contents should be accomplished without delay. However, should this not be possible, a maximum time of 4 HOURS from initial closure entry is permitted to complete fluid transfer operations. This time limit should begin with the introduction of the solvent or diluent into the Pharmacy Bulk Package. DISCARD ANY UNUSED PORTION AFTER 4 HOURS .
Pharmacy Bulk Package Add Sterile Water for Injection, Bacteriostatic Water for Injection or Sodium Chloride Injection according to the table below. SHAKE WELL. Use promptly. (Discard vial within 4 hours after initial entry.)
Pharmacy Bulk Package Size | Amount of Diluent | Appropriate Concentration | Approximate Available Volume |
10 grams | 45 mL | 1 gram/5 mL | 51 mL |
96 mL | 1 gram/10 mL | 102 mL |
ADMINISTRATION
Intravenous Administration
Intermittent or continuous infusion: Dilute reconstituted Cefazolin for Injection, USP in 50 to 100 mL of one of the following solutions:
Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% or 10% Dextrose Injection, USP 5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.2% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP Lactated Ringer’s Injection, USP Invert Sugar 5% or 10% in Sterile Water for Injection Ringer’s Injection, USP 5% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP
When diluted according to the instructions above, cefazolin is stable for 24 hours at room temperature or for 10 days if stored under refrigeration (5ºC or 41ºF).
Prior to administration parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration whenever solution and container permit.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Cefazolin for Injection IS CONTRAINDICATED IN PATIENTS WITH KNOWN ALLERGY TO THE CEPHALOSPORIN GROUP OF ANTIBIOTICS.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The following reactions have been reported:
Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, oral candidiasis (oral thrush), vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, anorexia, and pseudomembranous colitis. Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibiotic treatment (see WARNINGS ). Nausea and vomiting have been reported rarely.
Allergic: Anaphylaxis, eosinophilia, itching, drug fever, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Hematologic: Neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocythemia.
Hepatic: Transient rise in SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase levels has been observed. As with other cephalosporins, reports of hepatitis have been received.
Renal: As with other cephalosporins, reports of increased BUN and creatinine levels, as well as renal failure, have been received.
Local Reactions: Rare instances of phlebitis have been reported at site of injection. Some induration has occurred.
Other Reactions: Genital and anal pruritus (including vulvar pruritus, genital moniliasis and vaginitis).
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-877-845-0689 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
Probenecid may decrease renal tubular secretion of cephalosporins when used concurrently, resulting in increased and more prolonged cephalosporin blood levels.
DESCRIPTION
Cefazolin for Injection, USP is a semi-synthetic cephalosporin for parenteral administration. It is the sodium salt of (6R, 7R)-3-[[(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)]thio]methyl]-8-oxo-7-[2(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)acetoamido]-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid.
The structural formula is as follows:
Cefazolin for Injection, USP is a white to cream sterile powder. The color of Cefazolin for Injection, USP solutions may range from pale yellow to yellow without a change in potency.
The pH ranges from 4.0 and 6.0 for a solution containing 100 mg of cefazolin per mL.
Cefazolin for Injection, USP is supplied in 10 gram Pharmacy Bulk Packages. Each Pharmacy Bulk Package contains Cefazolin Sodium, USP equivalent to 10 grams of cefazolin. The sodium content is approximately 48 mg (2.1 mEq) per gram of cefazolin sodium. It is to be administered by intravenous route.
A Pharmacy Bulk Package is a container of a sterile preparation for intravenous use that contains many single doses. The contents are intended for use in a pharmacy admixture service and are restricted to the preparation of admixtures for intravenous infusion. FURTHER DILUTION IS REQUIRED BEFORE USE .
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Studies have shown that following intravenous administration of Cefazolin for Injection to normal volunteers, mean serum concentrations peaked at approximately 185 mcg/mL and were approximately 4 mcg/mL at 8 hours for 1 gram dose.
The serum half-life for Cefazolin for Injection is approximately 1.8 hours following intravenous administration.
In a study (using normal volunteers) of constant intravenous infusion with dosages of 3.5 mg/kg for 1 hour (approximately 250 mg) and 1.5 mg/kg the next 2 hours (approximately 100 mg), Cefazolin for Injection produced a steady serum level at the third hour of approximately 28 mcg/mL.
Studies in patients hospitalized with infections indicate that Cefazolin for Injection produces mean peak serum levels approximately equivalent to those seen in normal volunteers.
Bile levels in patients without obstructive biliary disease can reach or exceed serum levels by up to five times; however, in patients with obstructive biliary disease, bile levels of Cefazolin for Injection are considerably lower than serum levels (<1 mcg/mL).
In synovial fluid, the level of Cefazolin for Injection becomes comparable to that reached in serum at about 4 hours after drug administration.
Studies of cord blood show prompt transfer of Cefazolin for Injection across the placenta. Cefazolin for Injection is present in very low concentrations in the milk of nursing mothers.
Cefazolin for Injection is excreted unchanged in the urine. In the first 6 hours approximately 60% of the drug is excreted in the urine and this increases to 70% to 80% within 24 hours.
In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (2 L/hr), Cefazolin for Injection produced mean serum levels of approximately 10 and 30 mcg/mL after 24 hours’ instillation of a dialyzing solution containing 50 mg/L and 150 mg/L, respectively. Mean peak levels were 29 mcg/mL (range 13 to 44 mcg/mL) with 50 mg/L (3 patients), and 72 mcg/mL (range 26 to 142 mcg/mL) with 150 mg/L (6 patients). Intraperitoneal administration of Cefazolin for Injection is usually well tolerated.
Controlled studies on adult normal volunteers, receiving 1 gram 4 times a day for 10 days, monitoring CBC, SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, BUN, creatinine and urinalysis, indicated no clinically significant changes attributed to Cefazolin for Injection.
Microbiology
Mechanism of Action
Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Resistance
Predominant mechanisms of bacterial resistance to cephalosporins include the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and enzymatic hydrolysis.
Antimicrobial Activity
Cefazolin has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections as described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE (1 ) section:
Gram-positive Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis Streptococcus agalactiae Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcus pyogenes
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are uniformly resistant to cefazolin.
Gram-negative Bacteria Escherichia coli Proteus mirabilis
Most isolates of indole positive Proteus ( Proteus vulgaris ), Enterobacter spp., Morganella morganii, Providencia rettgeri, Serratia spp., and Pseudomonas spp . are resistant to cefazolin.
Susceptibility Test Methods
For specific information regarding susceptibility test interpretive criteria and associated test methods and quality control standards recognized by FDA for this drug, please see: https://www.fda.gov/STIC.
HOW SUPPLIED
Cefazolin for Injection, USP, is supplied in 10 gram Pharmacy Bulk Package vials. Each Pharmacy Bulk Package contains cefazolin sodium equivalent to 10 grams of cefazolin, as follows:
Cefazolin for Injection, USP | Vial Size | Packaged | NDC No. |
10 grams | 100 mL | Carton of 10 vials | 72572- 056 -10 |
Also available as:
Cefazolin for Injection, USP | Vial Size | Packaged | NDC No. |
1 gram | 10 mL | Carton of 25 vials | 72572- 055 -25 |
Preservative Free. As with other cephalosporins, Cefazolin for Injection, USP tends to darken depending on storage conditions; within the stated recommendations; however, product potency is not adversely affected.
Before reconstitution, protect from light and store at 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
This container closure is not made with natural rubber latex.
CLINITEST is a registered trademark of Miles, Inc. CLINISTIX is a registered trademark of Bayer Corporation.
Distributed by: Civica, Inc. Lehi, UT 84048
Manufactured by: Hikma Farmacêutica (Portugal), S.A. Estrada do Rio da Mó, 8, 8A e 8B – Fervença – 2705-906 Terrugem SNT, Portugal
Revised: November 2025
PIN604-CIV/2
Mechanism of Action
Cefazolin is a bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
