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Cefoxitin Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 17, 2025.

Applies to the following strengths: 1 g; 2 g; 10 g; 1 g/50 mL; 2 g/50 mL; 1 g/50 mL-iso-osmotic dextrose; 2 g/50 mL-iso-osmotic dextrose

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Aspiration Pneumonia

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Intraabdominal Infection

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Joint Infection

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Peritonitis

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Uses:

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours

Duration of therapy:

Comment: Patients with diabetic foot infections should be started on parenteral treatment and should be switched to oral formulations when possible.

Uses:

Usual Adult Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Use: Treatment of gynecological infections (e.g., endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by Bacteroides species (including B fragilis), Clostridium species, E coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including penicillinase-producing strains), P niger, Peptostreptococcus species, and Streptococcus agalactiae

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) Recommendations:
Parenteral Treatment: 2 grams IV every 6 hours PLUS IV/oral doxycycline and IV gentamicin

Alternative IM/Oral Treatment: 2 grams IM ONCE PLUS probenecid orally ONCE PLUS doxycycline orally given 2 times a day

Comments:

Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or Mycoplasma hominis

Usual Adult Dose for Endometritis

Uncomplicated infections (bacteremia absent/unlikely): 1 gram IV every 6 to 8 hours
Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Use: Treatment of gynecological infections (e.g., endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by Bacteroides species (including B fragilis), Clostridium species, E coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including penicillinase-producing strains), P niger, Peptostreptococcus species, and Streptococcus agalactiae

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) Recommendations:
Parenteral Treatment: 2 grams IV every 6 hours PLUS IV/oral doxycycline and IV gentamicin

Alternative IM/Oral Treatment: 2 grams IM ONCE PLUS probenecid orally ONCE PLUS doxycycline orally given 2 times a day

Comments:

Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or Mycoplasma hominis

Usual Adult Dose for Septicemia

Moderately severe to severe infections: 1 gram IV every 4 hours OR 2 grams IV every 6 to 8 hours
Infections needing high-doses: 2 grams IV every 4 hours OR 3 grams IV every 6 hours
Duration of therapy: At least 10 days (group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections)

Comments:


Use: Treatment of septicemia caused by Bacteroides species (including B fragilis), E coli, Klebsiella species, S aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains), and S pneumoniae

Usual Adult Dose for Cesarean Section

Single-dose regimen: 2 grams IV ONCE as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped

3-dose regimen: 2 grams IV every 4 hours for 3 doses, given as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped, then at 4 and 8 hours after the initial dose

Comment: This drug may be given via IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes or via IV infusion.

Use: Prophylaxis of infection in patients undergoing cesarean section

Usual Adult Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

2 grams IV 30 to 60 minutes prior to surgery, followed by 2 grams every 6 hours after the first dose


Comment: This drug may be given via IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes or via IV infusion.

Use: Prophylaxis of infection in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy uncontaminated gastrointestinal surgery, or vaginal hysterectomy

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), IDSA, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), and Surgical Infection Society (SIS) Recommendations:
2 grams IV ONCE

Comment: The recommended redosing interval from the initiation of the preoperative dose is 2 hours.

Uses:
Recommended agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing the following procedures:

Alternative agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing the following procedures:

Adjunctive agent (with metronidazole) for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing colon procedures

Usual Adult Dose for Gonococcal Infection - Uncomplicated

US CDC recommendations:
Uncomplicated anorectal and urogenital gonococcal infections: 2 grams IM ONCE plus probenecid

Comments:


Use: Treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the cervix, urethra, and rectum caused by N gonorrhoeae

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraabdominal Infection

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Joint Infection

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteomyelitis

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Peritonitis

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Septicemia

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Uses:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks:
Postnatal age (PNA) 7 days or less: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 12 hours
PNA over 72 years: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Gestational age 32 weeks and older: 35 mg/kg IV OR IM every 8 hours

Pediatric patients beyond the newborn period: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV OR IM per day, given in divided doses 3 to 4 times a day

Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE with/without IV gentamicin

Uses:

International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) Recommendations:
PROPHYLAXIS: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: Empirical doses should be given just prior to the procedure.

Uses:

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Use: Treatment of gynecological infections (e.g., endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by Bacteroides species (including B fragilis), Clostridium species, E coli, N gonorrhoeae (including penicillinase-producing strains), P niger, Peptostreptococcus species, and S agalactiae

US CDC Recommendations:
Parenteral Treatment: 2 grams IV every 6 hours PLUS IV/oral doxycycline and IV gentamicin

Alternative IM/Oral Treatment: 2 grams IM ONCE PLUS probenecid orally ONCE PLUS doxycycline orally given 2 times a day

Comments:

Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or M hominis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Endometritis

3 months and older: 80 to 160 mg/kg IV per day, given in 4 to 6 equal doses


Comments:

Use: Treatment of gynecological infections (e.g., endometritis, pelvic cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by Bacteroides species (including B fragilis), Clostridium species, E coli, N gonorrhoeae (including penicillinase-producing strains), P niger, Peptostreptococcus species, and S agalactiae

US CDC Recommendations:
Parenteral Treatment: 2 grams IV every 6 hours PLUS IV/oral doxycycline and IV gentamicin

Alternative IM/Oral Treatment: 2 grams IM ONCE PLUS probenecid orally ONCE PLUS doxycycline orally given 2 times a day

Comments:

Use: Recommended adjunctive treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease due to C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, or M hominis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Surgical Prophylaxis

3 months and older: 30 to 40 mg/kg IV 30 to 60 minutes prior to surgery, followed by 30 to 40 mg/kg every 6 hours after the first dose


Comment: This drug may be given via IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes or via IV infusion.

Use: Prophylaxis of infection in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy uncontaminated gastrointestinal surgery, or vaginal hysterectomy

AAP Recommendations:
Neonates (72 hours) or older: 40 mg/kg IV ONCE PLUS IV gentamicin

Use: Preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in neonatal patients older than 72 hours and children undergoing uncomplicated, nonperforated colorectal or appendectomy with the following likely pathogens: enteric gram-negative bacilli, enterococci, and/or anaerobes (Bacteroides species)

ASHP, IDSA, SHEA, and SIS Recommendations:
40 mg/kg IV ONCE

Comment: The recommended redosing interval from the initiation of the preoperative dose is 2 hours.

Uses:
Recommended agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing the following procedures:

Alternative agent for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing the following procedures:

Adjunctive agent (with metronidazole) for surgical prophylaxis in patients who are undergoing colon procedures

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cesarean Section

Single-dose regimen: 2 grams IV ONCE as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped

3-dose regimen: 2 grams IV every 4 hours for 3 doses, given as soon as the umbilical cord is clamped, then at 4 and 8 hours after the initial dose

Comment: This drug may be given via IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes or via IV infusion.

Use: Prophylaxis of infection in patients undergoing cesarean section

Usual Pediatric Dose for Gonococcal Infection - Uncomplicated

US CDC recommendations:
Uncomplicated anorectal and urogenital gonococcal infections in adolescents: 2 grams IM ONCE plus probenecid

Comments:


Use: Treatment of uncomplicated gonococcal infections of the cervix, urethra, and rectum caused by N gonorrhoeae

Renal Dose Adjustments

Pediatric:
3 months and older: Doses and frequencies should be adjusted consisted with adult renal dose adjustments.

Adults:
Loading dose: 1 to 2 grams via IV injection over 3 to 5 minutes ONCE

Maintenance dose:

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:


Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 3 months.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Hemodialysis:
Pediatric:
3 months and older: Doses and frequencies should be adjusted consistent with adult renal dose adjustments.

Adults:
Loading dose: 1 to 2 grams IV after each hemodialysis

Maintenance dose:

Other Comments

Administration advice:


Storage requirements:

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

IV compatibility:

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Further information

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

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