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Cefmetazole Side Effects

Applies to cefmetazole: injectable powder for injection, intravenous solution.

General

Cefmetazole has been generally well tolerated. In large studies only 2% to 4% of patients reported side effects.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain which were reported in up to 4% of patients.[Ref]

Rare cases of pseudomembranous colitis have been reported.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included rare reports of mild increases in liver function tests.[Ref]

Rare cases of cholestatic jaundice have been reported.

Mild increases in liver function tests may be important in patients with liver disease[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rare reports of a rash (less than 1% of patients).[Ref]

Rare cases of anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity hepatitis, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported.

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.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included very rare reports of thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, anemia, and eosinophilia.[Ref]

Although mild, insignificant hypoprothrombinemia has been reported. However, no clinically significant hemorrhage or increased bleeding times have been documented.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included informal reports of hypotension and shock, but the type of infection and clinical conditions of the patients made implication of cefmetazole difficult.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included a possible overestimation of urine glucose by the copper reduction method of urine dipstick analysis (Clinitest).[Ref]

The use of glucose oxidase methods (e.g.,Testape, Keto-Diastix, and Chemstrip) to measure urine glucose is recommended during therapy.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included reports of new or worsened renal insufficiency. These were difficult to interpret due to underlying diseases and concomitant therapy.[Ref]

References

1. Saito A (1989) "Cefmetazole postmarketing surveillance in Japan." J Antimicrob Chemother, 23, p. 131-9

2. Jones R (1989) "Cefmetazole (CS-1170), a "new" cephamycin with a decade of clinical experience." Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 12, p. 367-79

3. Welage LS, Borin M, Wilton J, Hejmanowski LG, Wels PB, Schentag JJ (1990) "Comparative evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of N-methylthiotetrazole following administration of cefoperazone, cefotetan, and cefmetazole." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 34, p. 2369-74

4. Schentag J (1991) "Cefmetazole sodium: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and clinical trials." Pharmacotherapy, 11, p. 2-19

5. Shimada J, Hayashi Y, Nakamura K (1985) "Cefmetazole: clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety in Japan." Drugs Exp Clin Res, 11, p. 181-94

6. Yangco B, Kenyon V, Halkias K, Toney JF, Chmel H (1989) "Comparative evaluation of safety and efficacy of cefmetazole and cefoxitin in lower respiratory tract infections." J Antimicrob Chemother, 23, p. 39-46

7. Ohishi M, Oobu K, Miyanoshita Y, Yamaguchi K (1988) "Acute gingival necrosis caused by drug-induced agranulocytosis." Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol, 66, p. 194-6

8. Filipe P, Almeida RSLS, Rodrigo FG (1996) "Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from cephalosporins." Contact Dermatitis, 34, p. 226

9. Romano A, Mayorga C, Torres MJ, Artesani MC, Suau R, Sanchez F, Perez E, Venuti A, Blanca M (2000) "Immediate allergic reactions to cephalosporins: Cross-reactivity and selective responses." J Allerg Clin Immunol, 106, p. 1177-83

10. Breen GA, Stpeter WL (1997) "Hypoprothrombinemia associated with cefmetazole." Ann Pharmacother, 31, p. 180-4

11. Stanfield J, DiPiro J (1988) "Interference of cefmetazole sodium and cefotetan disodium with urine-glucose testing systems." Am J Hosp Pharm, 45, p. 625-6

Further information

Cefmetazole side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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