Claforan

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > C



How does it work?

Cefotaxime belongs to a group of antibiotics called the cephalosporins. They kill bacteria by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The bacteria therefore break up and die. Cefotaxime is given by injection or infusion, and is generally used in severe infections or before an operation to prevent infection after surgery.

What is it used for?

- Gonorrhoea
- Infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis)
- Infections of the organs associated with breathing, including nasal passages, sinuses, windpipe and lungs (respiratory tract)
- Infections of the urinary tract
- Meningitis
- Preventing infection following surgery
- Skin or soft tissue infections

Use with caution in

- Allergy to penicillin-type antibiotics
- Kidney disease

Not to be used in

- Allergy to any of the active ingredients
- Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.