Cefotetan (Cefotan) — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Cefotetan is a second-generation cephalosporin, technically part of a subgroup called cephamycins that has notably better activity against anaerobic bacteria than typical second-generation cephalosporins. That anaerobic coverage makes it a common choice for preventing infection before abdominal, gynecologic, or colorectal surgery, and for treating infections like pelvic inflammatory disease and intra-abdominal infections where anaerobic bacteria are often involved. It's given only by injection or IV infusion.

One safety point worth knowing: cefotetan contains a chemical side chain (an MTT group) shared with a small number of other cephalosporins, which can cause two specific reactions — a disulfiram-like reaction (flushing, nausea, rapid heartbeat) if alcohol is consumed during treatment or for a few days afterward, and, less commonly, an increased bleeding risk from interference with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, particularly in people who are malnourished or have poor vitamin K intake. Because of this, avoiding alcohol during cefotetan treatment is standard advice, unlike with most other antibiotics where the concern is milder or absent.

Like other cephalosporins, it shares a chemical backbone with penicillins, and cross-reactivity in people with a penicillin allergy is documented in a meaningful minority of patients — a careful allergy history is standard before it's given.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Cefotetan is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics and in those individuals who have experienced a cephalosporin associated hemolytic anemia.

Warnings

WARNINGS BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFOTETAN IS INSTITUTED, CAREFUL INQUIRY SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS HAD PREVIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CEFOTETAN, CEPHALOSPORINS, PENICILLINS, OR OTHER DRUGS. IF THIS PRODUCT IS TO BE 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 CEFOTETAN OCCURS, DISCONTINUE THE DRUG.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects. Pregnancy Category B Reproduction studies have been performed in rats and monkeys at doses up to 20 times the human dose and have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to cefotetan. 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.