cephazolin sodium
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Kefzol. It does not contain all the available information and does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Kefzol against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What KEFZOL is used for
Kefzol contains cephazolin (as cephazolin sodium) as the active ingredient. Cephazolin belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins.
Kefzol is used to treat serious infections, caused by bacteria, in different parts of the body. It works by killing the bacteria that are causing your infection, including infections of the:
- respiratory tract (throat, tonsils, chest and lungs)
- nose
- skin and soft tissue
- genitourinary tract (kidney and bladder)
- bone and joint
- blood.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Kefzol has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
Kefzol is not recommended for use in premature infants and in infants under one month.
This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
There is no evidence that it is addictive.
Before you are given it
When you must not be given it
You must not be given Kefzol if you have a known allergy to:
- cephazolin
- any other cephalosporin antibiotic
- or a major allergy to penicillin.
Signs of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
You must not be given Kefzol if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
You must not be given Kefzol after the expiry date printed on the pack.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- kidney disease
- severe bowel condition/disease.
If you are scheduled to have any laboratory tests e.g. blood or urine, tell your doctor that you are being given Kefzol.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start being given Kefzol.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may be affected by Kefzol or may affect how it works.
Your doctor has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while being given Kefzol.
How it is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on various factors such as the condition being treated (and your response to the treatment), your weight and age and whether or not you have a pre-existing kidney condition.
How it is given
Kefzol is a sterile powder which is dissolved and diluted with suitable fluids.
After reconstitution, Kefzol can be given either:
- into a vein via a ‘drip’
- as a slow injection directly into a vein
- or as a deep injection into a large muscle.
Your doctor or nurse will prepare the injection of Kefzol for you.
If you are given too much (overdose)
As Kefzol is given to you under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
However, if you experience any side effects after being given Kefzol, tell your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
- pain or inflammation at the injection site
- dizziness and headaches
- tingling or numbness of the hands or feet.
While you are receiving it
Things you must do
Tell your doctor if the symptoms of your infection do not improve within a few days or if they become worse.
If you get severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after Kefzol has been stopped. Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical care.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your doctor.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor that you are receiving Kefzol.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are receiving Kefzol.
If you have to test your urine for sugar while you are being given Kefzol, make sure your doctor knows which type of test you use. KEFZOL may affect the results of these tests.
Side effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being treated with Kefzol. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- pain, swelling or red skin where you had the injection
- nausea and vomiting
- mild diarrhoea.
These are the more common side effects of Kefzol and are usually mild.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following side effects:
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
- skin problems such as rash or itchiness
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, being short of breath and looking pale
- jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals.
These side effects are rare but may be serious. You may need medical attention.
After you have received KEFZOL
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if any of the following happen, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with Kefzol:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious side effects. You may have a serious condition affecting your bowel. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if you think the problems are not connected with this medicine and are not referred to in this leaflet. Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After using it
Storage
Kefzol will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward. The powder for injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Product Description
What it looks like
Kefzol 1 g is a white to off-white powder in a glass vial. The powder is dissolved and diluted with suitable fluids before it is used.
Available in packs of 10 vials.
Ingredients
Active ingredient:
Each vial contains 1 g cephazolin sodium.
Inactive ingredients:
There are no inactive ingredients in KEFZOL.
KEFZOL does not contain lactose, gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Sponsor
Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australian Registration Number:
Kefzol 1 g: AUST R 14647
This leaflet was revised in April 2010.
Published by MIMS November 2014