Cefotaxime Disease Interactions

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), formerly pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported with almost all antibacterial drugs and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The most common culprits include clindamycin and lincomycin. Antibacterial therapy alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C difficile, whose toxins A and B contribute to CDAD development. Morbidity and mortality are increased with hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial use. Since CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after antibacterial use, careful medical history is necessary. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterials and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis; pseudomembranous colitis (generally characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and sometimes associated with the passage of blood and mucus), if it occurs, may be more severe in these patients and may be associated with flares in underlying disease activity. Antibacterial drugs not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD is suspected or confirmed. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be started as clinically indicated.

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Most beta-lactam antibacterial agents are eliminated by the kidney as unchanged drug and, in some cases, also as metabolites. The serum concentrations of beta-lactam antibacterial agents and their metabolites may be increased, and the half-lives prolonged, in patients with impaired renal function. Neurotoxic reactions (e.g., encephalopathy, aphasia, asterixis, myoclonus, seizures, nonconvulsive status epilepticus, coma) have been reported in such patients treated parenterally with these agents. Dosage adjustments may be necessary, and modifications should be based on the degree of renal function as well as severity of infection in accordance with the individual manufacturer product information. Renal function tests should be performed periodically during prolonged and/or high-dose therapy since nephrotoxicity and alterations in renal function have occasionally been associated with the use of these drugs.

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Parenteral cefotaxime sodium contains approximately 51 mg (2.2 mEq) of sodium per each gram of cefotaxime activity. The frozen solutions of cefotaxime sodium are additionally formulated with sodium citrate hydrous as a buffer. The sodium content should be considered in patients with conditions that may require sodium restriction, such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, and fluid retention.

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Most cephalosporin antibiotics are removed by hemodialysis. Doses should either be scheduled for administration after dialysis or supplemental doses be given after dialysis. Cefonicid, cefixime, and ceftriaxone are not significantly removed by hemodialysis.

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Cases of hepatitis have been reported with the use of certain cephalosporins. Transient rise in AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase levels have also been observed. Caution and monitoring are recommended when these agents are prescribed to patients with hepatic disorders.

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Cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures. Nonconvulsive status epilepticus, encephalopathy, coma, asterixis, neuromuscular excitability, and myoclonia have been reported with cephalosporins particularly in patients with a history of epilepsy and/or when recommended dosages of cephalosporins were exceeded due to renal dysfunction. Dosage should be adjusted based on the degree of renal function. Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders. If CNS adverse reactions including seizures occur, patients should undergo a neurological evaluation to determine whether treatment should be discontinued.

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