Claforan Side Effects

Generic name: cefotaxime

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 14, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Claforan Side Effects associated with cefotaxime. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Claforan.

Applies to cefotaxime: injection powder for solution.

Precautions

Your doctor will check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

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

Cefotaxime injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child 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.

Cefotaxime injection can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Before you or your child 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.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of Claforan

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:

Serious side effects of Claforan

Along with its needed effects, cefotaxime (the active ingredient contained in Claforan) 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:

For healthcare professionals

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

General adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Claforan 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.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer