Cefotaxime Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 24, 2024.

Applies to cefotaxime: injection powder for solution.

Common side effects of cefotaxime

Some side effects of cefotaxime may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• red streaks on the skin
• swelling, tenderness, or pain at the injection site

Serious side effects of cefotaxime

Along with its needed effects, cefotaxime 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 while taking cefotaxime:

Less common

• abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• black, tarry stools
• bloating
• chest pain
• chills
• diarrhea
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• increased thirst
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• nausea or vomiting
• noisy breathing
• pain
• painful or difficult urination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• tenderness
• tightness in the chest
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss

Rare

• agitation
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• coma
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth
• dark urine
• drowsiness
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• general body swelling
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• hallucinations
• headache
• irritability
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nosebleeds
• pain during sexual intercourse
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seizures
• soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails
• stiff neck
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• clay-colored stools
• unpleasant breath odor
• vomiting of blood

For Healthcare Professionals

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

General

The most commonly reported side effects include injection site inflammation, pain, induration, and tenderness.^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site inflammation, pain, induration, tenderness
• Postmarketing reports: Phlebitis, thrombophlebitis^[Ref]

Injection site inflammation occurred with IV administration. Pain, induration, and tenderness occurred with IM administration.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal pain^[Ref]

Signs/symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis/Clostridium difficile infection may occur during or after treatment.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash/skin rash, pruritus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme
• Postmarketing reports: Bullous skin reactions, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Eosinophilia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Neutropenia, transient leukopenia, granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis, positive direct Coombs' tests
• Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, bone marrow failure^[Ref]

Thrombocytopenia was reported, but usually was rapidly reversible upon discontinuation.^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fever
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Drug fever
• Postmarketing reports: Malaise, superinfection, candidiasis, shivering, systemic reactions to lidocaine, false-positive test for urinary glucose^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Transient AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase level elevations
• Frequency not reported: Hepatitis, jaundice
• Postmarketing reports: Cholestasis, hepatic dysfunction^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsions
• Frequency not reported: Headache, dizziness, encephalopathy, impaired consciousness, abnormal movements
• Postmarketing reports: Seizures^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reaction, anaphylactic shock, angioedema, allergic reactions^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Moniliasis, vaginitis^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Transient blood urea nitrogen level elevations
• Postmarketing reports: Interstitial nephritis, transient creatinine elevations, acute renal failure^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Difficulty breathing
• Postmarketing reports: Bronchospasm^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Transient lactate dehydrogenase elevations^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Joint discomfort^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Potentially fatal arrhythmias, shock, hemorrhage^[Ref]

Further information

Cefotaxime 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.

Medical Disclaimer