Cefazolin Dextrose — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Cefazolin-dextrose is the same first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic as standard cefazolin, just supplied differently: instead of a powder that a pharmacy reconstitutes before use, it comes premixed in a ready-to-infuse dextrose (sugar water) IV solution. That convenience format is common in hospitals, where a premixed bag saves preparation time and reduces the chance of a dosing or mixing error — the drug itself, its uses, and its precautions are otherwise identical to plain cefazolin.

Like standard cefazolin, it's used to treat infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin, and bloodstream due to susceptible bacteria, and it's a routine choice for preventing infection before certain surgeries. One extra consideration specific to the dextrose-containing formulation: the FDA label notes that solutions containing dextrose may not be appropriate for patients with a known allergy to corn or corn products, since dextrose is typically corn-derived.

As with any cephalosporin, cross-reactivity with penicillin allergy is possible in a meaningful minority of patients, so a clinician will usually ask about prior allergic reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins before it's given.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS CEFAZOLIN IS CONTRAINDICATED IN PATIENTS WITH KNOWN ALLERGY TO THE CEPHALOSPORIN GROUP OF ANTIBIOTICS. Solutions containing dextrose may be contraindicated in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products.

Warnings

WARNINGS BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFAZOLIN 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 OCCURS, DISCONTINUE TREATMENT WITH THE DRUG.

Known drug interactions

Drug Interactions Probenecid may decrease renal tubular secretion of cephalosporins when used concurrently, resulting in increased and more prolonged cephalosporin blood levels.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects 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. 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.