Cefizox Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Cefizox may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Cefizox - for the Consumer

Cefizox

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 Cefizox:

Fever; mild diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; seizures; severe diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing eyes and skin.

Cefizox Side Effects - for the Professional

Cefizox

Cefizox® (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) is generally well tolerated. The most frequent adverse reactions (greater than 1% but less than 5%) are:

Hypersensitivity--Rash, pruritus, fever.

Hepatic--Transient elevation in AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase.

Hematologic--Transient eosinophilia, thrombocytosis. Some individuals have developed a positive Coombs test.

Local--Injection site--Burning, cellulitis, phlebitis with IV administration, pain, induration, tenderness, paresthesia.

The less frequent adverse reactions (less than 1%) are:

Hypersensitivity--Numbness and anaphylaxis have been reported rarely.

Hepatic--Elevation of bilirubin has been reported rarely.

Renal--Transient elevations of BUN and creatinine have been occasionally observed with Cefizox.

Hematologic--Anemia, including hemolytic anemia with occasional fatal outcome, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have been reported rarely.

Urogenital--Vaginitis has occurred rarely.

Gastrointestinal--Diarrhea; nausea and vomiting have been reported occasionally.

Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis can appear during or after antibiotic treatment.

In addition to the adverse reactions listed above which have been observed in patients treated with ceftizoxime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin‐class antibiotics:

Stevens‐Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, serum‐sickness like reaction, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemorrhage, prolonged prothrombin time, elevated LDH, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment, when the dosage was not reduced. If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

Cefizox Injection

Cefizox® (ceftizoxime injection) is generally well tolerated. The most frequent adverse reactions (greater than 1% but less than 5%) are:

Hypersensitivity--Rash, pruritus, fever.

Hepatic--Transient elevation in AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase.

Hematologic--Transient eosinophilia, thrombocytosis. Some individuals have developed a positive Coombs test.

Local--Injection site--Burning, cellulitis, phlebitis with IV administration, pain, induration, tenderness, paresthesia.

The less frequent adverse reactions (less than 1%) are:

Hypersensitivity--Numbness and anaphylaxis have been reported rarely.

Hepatic--Elevation of bilirubin has been reported rarely.

Renal--Transient elevations of BUN and creatinine have been occasionally observed with Cefizox.

Hematologic--Anemia, including hemolytic anemia with occasional fatal outcome, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have been reported rarely.

Urogenital--Vaginitis has occurred rarely.

Gastrointestinal--Diarrhea; nausea and vomiting have been reported occasionally.

Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis can appear during or after antibiotic treatment.

In addition to the adverse reactions listed above which have been observed in patients treated with ceftizoxime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin­class antibiotics:

Stevens­Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, serum­sickness like reaction, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemorrhage, prolonged prothrombin time, elevated LDH, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment, when the dosage was not reduced. If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

Side Effects by Body System

General

Adverse effects may be more likely or more severe in patients with renal and/or liver dysfunction.

Ceftizoxime is generally well-tolerated.

Hypersensitivity

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.

Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, pruritus, and fever have been reported in 1% to 5% of patients. Numbness and anaphylaxis have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with anaphylaxis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in less than 1% of patients. Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients treated with cephalosporins. If diarrhea occurs and is unresponsive to discontinuation of the drug and/or standard therapy, pseudomembranous colitis should be considered.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included transient eosinophilia, thrombocytosis, and positive Coombs' test in 1% to 5% of patients. Anemia, including occasionally fatal hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, hemorrhage, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Renal

Renal side effects have included transient elevations of BUN and creatinine (less than 1%). Interstitial nephritis has been reported with some cephalosporins, and presents as reversible fever, azotemia, pyuria, and eosinophiluria. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with renal dysfunction and toxic nephropathy.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included transient elevation of AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase in 1% to 5% of patients, and bilirubin increases in less than 1%. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including seizures have been associated with some cephalosporins in renally impaired patients.

Local

Local side effects have included burning, cellulitis, phlebitis, pain, induration, tenderness, and paresthesia at the injection site in 1% to 5% of patients.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included vaginitis (less than 1%).

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