Mefoxin

What is it?

A cephaMYCIN antibiotic preparation available as a powder in vials for reconstitution and injection, in 2 strengths containing 1g or 2g of cefoxitin.

Medical Uses

Skin, soft tissue, bone, joint, respiratory tract infections, septicaemia, peritonitis, infections of genital tract in women. Prevention of infection in gynaecological and obstetric operations, treatment of postoperative infections. Gonorrhoea and urinary tract infections.

Dosage

Adults, 1-2g by intravenous or intramuscular injection at 8 hour intervals. Prevention of infection, 2g 30 minutes to 1 hour before surgery then every 6 hours post-operatively for maximum period of 24 hours. Obstetric and gynacological conditions, 2g intravenously on clamping. Children, newborn babies up to 1 week old, 20-40mg per kg of body weight at 12 hour intervals. 1 week to 1 month of age, 20-40mg per kg of body weight at 8 hour intervals; 1 month to 3 months, 20 to 40mg per kg of body weight at 6 to 8 hour intervals. All doses given intravenously. Over 3 months old, 20 to 40mg per kg of body weight every 6108 hours, given intravenously or intramuscularly. Prevention of infection, newborn babies, 30 to 40mg per kg of body weight, 30 minutes to 1 hour before operation then every 8 to 12 hours postoperatively for 24 hours. Aged 1 to 3 months, 30 to 40mg per kg of body weight intravenously, given 30 minutes 10 1 hour before operation and then every 6 hours for maximum period of 24 hours. Aged over 3 months, 30 to 40mg per kg of body weight intravenously or intramuscularly at same times as in adults.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, patients with allergy to penicillin, kidney disorder.

Known Side Effects

Gastro-intestinal upset, blood changes, (reduction in levels of white blood cells and platelets - eosinophilia, neutropenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia), allergic reactions, pain at injection site, rise in levels of blood urea and liver enzymes. Positive Coomb's test (a test for detecting rhesus antibodies).