Cephalothin Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

Uncomplicated infections: 500 mg to 1 g IV or IM every 4 to 6 hours.
Severe infections: 1 g IV or IM every 6 hours or 500 mg every 4 hours.
Life-threatening infections: 2 g IV or IM every 4 hours.

Usual Adult Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

Preoperative: 1 to 2 g IV 30 to 60 minutes prior to incision.
Intraoperative: 1 to 2 g IV during surgery.
Postoperative: 1 to 2 g IV every 6 hours for up to 24 hours.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

Preoperative: 20 to 30 mg/kg IV 30 to 60 minutes prior to incision.
Intraoperative: 20 to 30 mg/kg IV during surgery.
Postoperative: 20 to 30 mg/kg IV every 6 hours for up to 24 hours.

Renal Dose Adjustments

CrCl < 2 mL/min: Loading dose of 1 to 2 g, then maximum dose 0.5 g IV every 8 hours.

CrCl 2 to 10 mL/min: Loading dose of 1 to 2 g, then maximum dose 0.5 g IV every 6 hours.

CrCl 10 to 25 mL/min: Loading dose of 1 to 2 g, then maximum dose 1 g IV every 6 hours.

CrCl 25 to 50 mL/min: Loading dose of 1 to 2 g, then maximum dose 1.5 g IV every 6 hours.

CrCl 50 to 80 mL/min: Maximum dose 2 g IV every 6 hours.

Dialysis

Cephalothin has been added to peritoneal dialysis fluid up to 6 mg/100 mL and instilled throughout an entire dialysis.

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Further information

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

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