Cefazolin Side Effects

Brand Names: Ancef

Please note - some side effects for Cefazolin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Cefazolin - for the Consumer

Cefazolin

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Cefazolin:

Loss of appetite; mild diarrhea; nausea; stomach cramps; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; decreased urination; fever; hoarseness; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain/cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; white spots in the mouth; yellowing of the eyes and skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions are the most frequently occurring side effects of cefazolin. Rashes appear in up to 5% of patients. Anaphylaxis, eosinophilia, itching, drug fever, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have also been reported. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have also been associated with erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

There is a 10% to 20% risk of allergic cross-sensitivity in patients with a history of allergy to penicillins. A 100% risk of cross-sensitivity should be assumed in all patients with a history of anaphylaxis to penicillins or other cephalosporins.

A case of occupational contact dermatitis due to cephalosporin allergy has been reported in a nurse who prepared cephalosporin solutions for administration to patients. The dermatitis resolved after the nurse stopped preparing the solutions.

Gastrointestinal

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients treated with cefazolin. If diarrhea occurs and it does not resolve following discontinuation of the drug and/or institution of standard remedial therapy, pseudomembranous colitis should be considered and appropriate therapy initiated.

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea, oral candidiasis, vomiting (rare), nausea (rare), abdominal cramps, anorexia, anal pruritus, and pseudomembranous colitis.

Local

Local side effects have included phlebitis at the injection site, pain after intramuscular injection, and induration.

Nervous system

There may be an association between renal failure, high cefazolin levels, and neurological symptoms.

Nervous system side effects have rarely included seizures, which tend to occur most often in patients with renal dysfunction.

Renal

Renal side effects have included increased BUN, creatinine, and renal failure. Interstitial nephritis (reversible fever, azotemia, pyuria, and eosinophiluria) and toxic nephropathy have been associated with some cephalosporins.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevated liver function tests, including SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase, and hepatitis. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis.

Hematologic

A 26-year-old hemodialysis patient with a coagulase-positive staphylococcal arteriovenous fistula graft infection was found to have a hematoma and increased thrombin, prothrombin, and partial thromboplastin times after receiving cefazolin 1 gram intravenously followed by 0.5 gram every 8 hours for 12 days. The laboratory changes resolved after cefazolin therapy was stopped, but recurred when cefazolin was reinstituted.

Hematologic side effects may be more likely in patients with renal insufficiency.

Hematologic side effects have included neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocythemia and prolonged prothrombin time. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included allergic rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, fixed drug eruptions, and pustular skin eruptions.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included genital pruritus, vulvar pruritus, vaginitis, and genital moniliasis.

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