INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Cefazolin Injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible organisms:
Respiratory Tract Infections:
Due to S. pneumoniae,Klebsiellaspecies, H.influenzae,S.aureus(penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant), and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
Injectable benzathine penicillin is considered to be the drug of choice in treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections, including the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Cefazolin is effective in the eradication of streptococci from the nasopharynx; however, data establishing the efficacy of cefazolin in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available.
Urinary Tract Infections:
Due to E. coli,P.mirabilis,Klebsiellaspecies, and some strains of enterobacter and enterococci.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections:
Due to S. aureus(penicillin sensitive and penicillin-resistant), group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, and other strains of streptococci.
Biliary Tract Infections:
Due to E.coli, various strains of streptococci, P.mirabilis,Klebsiellaspecies,and S.aureus.
Bone and Joint Infections:
Due to S.aureus.
Genital Infections:
(i.e., prostatitis, epididymitis) due to E.coli,P.mirabilis,Klebsiellaspecies, and some strains of enterococci.
Septicemia:
Due to S. pneumoniae, S. aureus (penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant), P. mirabilis, E. coli, and Klebsiella species.
Endocarditis:
Due to S. aureus (penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant), and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.
Perioperative Prophylaxis:
The prophylactic administration of cefazolin preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively may reduce the incidence of certain postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures which are classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated (e.g., vaginal hysterectomy, and cholecystectomy in high-risk patients such as those older than 70 years, with acute cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice, or common duct bile stones).
The perioperative use of cefazolin may also be effective in surgical patients in whom infection at the operative site would present a serious risk (e.g., during open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty).
The prophylactic administration of cefazolin should usually be discontinued within a 24-hour period after the surgical procedure. In surgery where the occurrence of infection may be particularly devastating (e.g., open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty), the prophylactic administration of cefazolin may be continued for 3 to 5 days following the completion of surgery.
If there are signs of infection, specimens for cultures should be obtained for the identification of the causative organism so that appropriate therapy may be instituted (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cefazolin and other antibacterial drugs, cefazolin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.