Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection

Cefotaxime may be administered intravenously, by bolus injection or by infusion, or by intramuscular injection. The dosage, route and frequency of administration should be determined by the severity of infection, the sensitivity of causative organisms and condition of the patient. Therapy may be initiated before the results of sensitivity tests are known.

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, sensitivity of causative organisms and condition of the patient. Therapy may be initiated before the results of sensitivity tests are known.

In severe infections dosage may be increased up to 12g daily given in three or four divided doses. For infections caused by sensitive Pseudomonas species daily doses of greater than 6g will usually be required.

Children:

The usual dosage range is 100-150mg/kg/day in two to four divided doses. However, in very severe infection doses of up to 200mg/kg/day may be required.

Neonates: The recommended dosage is 50mg/kg/day in two to four divided doses. In severe infections 150-200mg/kg/day, in divided doses, have been given.

Dosage in renal impairment: Because of extra-renal elimination, it is only necessary to reduce the dosage of cefotaxime in severe renal failure (GFR <5ml/min = serum creatinine approximately 751 micromol/litre). After an initial loading dose of 1g, daily dose should be halved without change in the frequency of dosing, i.e. 1g twelve hourly becomes 0.5g twelve hourly, 1g eight hourly becomes 0.5g eight hourly, 2g eight hourly becomes 1g eight hourly etc. As in all other patients, dosage may require further adjustment according to the course of the infection and the general condition of the patient.

Dosage in hepatic impairment: No dosage adjustment is required.

Intravenous and Intramuscular Administration: Reconstitute cefotaxime with Water for Injections PhEur as directed in Section 6.6 (Instructions for use/handling). Shake well until dissolved and then withdraw the entire contents of the vial into the syringe.

Intravenous administration (Injection or Infusion): Cefotaxime may be administered by intravenous infusion using the fluids stated in Section 6.6 (Instructions for use/handling). The prepared infusion may be administered over 20-60 minutes.

For intermittent I.V. injections, the solution must be injected over a period of 3 to 5 minutes. During post-marketing surveillance, potentially life-threatening arrhythmia has been reported in a very few patients who received rapid intravenous administration of cefotaxime through a central venous catheter.

Cefotaxime and aminoglycosides should not be mixed in the same syringe or perfusion fluid.

3. Contraindications