Cefazolin — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Cefazolin prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives.
Does insurance typically cover Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride, and what would my out-of-pocket cost be?
Coverage and copay amounts for Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride depend entirely on your individual insurance plan. Formulary status, tier placement, and copay structure vary significantly between insurers and specific plans. To find out whether your plan covers this medication and what your actual copay would be, contact your insurance provider directly. If your insurance does not cover it or your copay is high, discount cards and pharmacy price-comparison tools can help reduce your cost at the point of sale.
What is the typical cost of Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride without insurance coverage?
The average retail price for Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride without health insurance is around $37.94 per 1, 2-0.9gm/100ml-% solution. Many patients find lower prices by using manufacturer coupons, pharmacy discount programs, or comparing prices across different pharmacy chains. Since Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride is a generic formulation, it is considerably less expensive than the brand-name alternatives Kefzol or Ancef.
What are the brand-name versions of Cefazolin in Sodium Chloride?
Kefzol and Ancef are the established brand-name formulations of cefazolin in sodium chloride. The generic version is substantially more affordable while containing identical active ingredients. Most patients and healthcare providers opt for the generic form to reduce medication expenses without compromising therapeutic efficacy.
Cefazolin prices at US pharmacies
Cefazolin In Sodium Chloride — solution (quantity in ml), 2-0.9gm/100ml-%, qty 100
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Pharmacy Lowest | $29.25 | $26.25 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $29.25 | $26.25 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $31.55 | $28.55 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $31.55 | $28.55 |
| Walgreens | $32.19 | $29.19 |
| Publix | $33.59 | $30.59 |
| CVS Pharmacy | $35.90 | $32.90 |
Cefazolin Sodium — solution reconstituted, 10gm, qty 2
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy Lowest | $6.57 | $3.57 |
| Walgreens | $11.36 | $8.36 |
| Food Lion | $22.02 | — |
| Costco | $27.05 | — |
| Publix | $40.18 | $37.18 |
| Kroger Pharmacy | $43.20 | $40.20 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $43.20 | $40.20 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $48.92 | $45.92 |
Cefazolin prices at Canadian pharmacies
No Canadian pharmacy pricing was found for Cefazolin in our latest data pull.
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Cefazolin used for?
Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection or IV infusion, best known as the antibiotic most often used for surgical infection prevention — a single dose shortly before an operation is standard practice for many types of surgery to reduce the risk of a post-operative wound infection. Beyond that role, it's also used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, bone, and bloodstream caused by susceptible bacteria, particularly certain staph and strep species.
Cefazolin shares a chemical backbone with penicillins, and up to about 10% of people with a documented penicillin allergy can also react to cephalosporins — a careful allergy history is standard before it's given, particularly given how routinely it's used before surgery. It's not effective against MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or most gram-negative bacteria beyond the specific organisms listed in its FDA indications, which is part of why it's reserved for infections known or expected to involve susceptible bacteria rather than used as a catch-all.
The WHO AWaRe framework classifies cefazolin as an Access antibiotic — one of the first-choice options recommended for common infections, reflecting both its effectiveness and its relatively low contribution to resistance when used appropriately.
How Cefazolin works
Attacks the bacterial cell wall
Cefazolin blocks the enzymes bacteria need to build and maintain their protective cell wall.
The wall weakens and fails
Without a properly built wall, internal pressure causes the bacterial cell to rupture and die.
Infection clears or is prevented
Given before surgery, cefazolin reaches effective tissue levels during the highest-risk window for contamination; given for an active infection, it works the same way to clear susceptible bacteria.
Typical dosage forms & strengths
| Use | Typical adult dose | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical infection prevention | Single IV dose, typically given within 60 minutes before the incision | IV infusion |
| Treatment of susceptible infections (adults) | 250 mg–1 g IV or IM every 6–8 hours, depending on severity | Injection / IV infusion |
General reference dosing from the FDA label — not personalized advice. Your prescribed dose may differ based on your infection, kidney function, age, and weight. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.
Related & alternative drugs
Commonly used for
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Injection-site pain or irritation
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Mild skin rash
Serious — seek care promptly
- Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, facial/throat swelling, trouble breathing
- Severe or watery diarrhea (possible C. diff colitis)
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS CEFAZOLIN FOR INJECTION IS CONTRAINDICATED IN PATIENTS WITH KNOWN ALLERGY TO THE CEPHALOSPORIN GROUP OF ANTIBIOTICS.
Warnings
WARNINGS BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFAZOLIN FOR INJECTION IS INSTITUTED, CAREFUL INQUIRY SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS HAD PREVIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CEFAZOLIN, CEPHALOSPORINS, PENICILLINS, OR OTHER DRUGS. IF THIS PRODUCT IS GIVEN TO PENICILLIN‑SENSITIVE PATIENTS, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED BECAUSE CROSS‑HYPERSENSITIVITY AMONG BETA‑LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS HAS BEEN CLEARLY DOCUMENTED AND MAY OCCUR IN UP TO 10% OF PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY. IF AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO CEFAZOLIN FOR INJECTION OCCURS, DISCONTINUE TREATMENT WITH THE DRUG.
Notable drug interactions
| Drug / substance | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Probenecid | Slows renal clearance of cefazolin, raising and prolonging blood levels. |
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B. Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice, and rabbits at doses up to 25 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Cefazolin for Injection. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Cefazolin, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Cefazolin cost without insurance?
Is there a generic version of Cefazolin?
What drug class is Cefazolin in?
Page info
Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Christopher J. Graber, M.D., MPH, FIDSA, Infectious Disease