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Cefotetan (Injection)

Generic name: cefotetan [ sef-oh-TEE-tan ]
Brand name: Cefotan
Drug class: Second generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 4, 2024.

Uses for cefotetan

Cefotetan injection is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine is also given before certain types of surgery to prevent infections.

Cefotetan injection belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using cefotetan

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cefotetan injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefotetan injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefotetan injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of cefotetan

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles, or through a needle placed in one of your veins.

amoxicillin, doxycycline, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, metronidazole, clindamycin, ceftriaxone, Augmentin, levofloxacin

Precautions while using cefotetan

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Hemolytic anemia may occur while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have back, leg, or stomach pains; bleeding gums; chills; dark urine; difficulty with breathing; fever; general body swelling; headache; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; nosebleeds; pale skin; sore throat; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Cefotetan injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving cefotetan injection and for 3 days (72 hours) after your last dose. Drinking alcohol during this period may cause flushing; headache; sweating; and fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of cefotetan

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 2nd Generation Cephalosporin

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.