Kefzol

What is it?

A cephalosporin antibiotic preparation available as a powder in vials for reconstitution and injection, in 2 strengths, containing 500mg or lg of cephazolin (as sodium salt).

Medical Uses

Septicaemia, endocarditis, skin, soft tissue, respiratory, urinary tract infections.

Dosage

Adults, 500mg-lg every 6 to 8 hours (12 hourly, in case of urinary tract infections), by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Children, over 1 month in age, 25 to 50mg per kg of body weight each day by intramuscular or intravenous injection iii 3 to 4 divided doses.

Special Care

Kidney disease or disorder, hypersensitivity to B-lactam antibiotics. In B-haemolytic infections, treatment should be given for a minimum period of 10 days.

Avoid Use

Children under 1 month.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Aminoglycosides, loop diuretics, probenecid.

Known Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset, blood changes involving white blood cells (thrombocythaemia, neutropenia, eosinophillia, leueopenia), candidosis (thrush), allergic reactions, pain at injection site, seizures, rise in levels of blood urea and liver enzymes, positive Coomb's test (a test for rhesus antibodies).