INDICATIONS AND USAGE
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain
the effectiveness of Cefazolin for Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs,
Cefazolin for Injection, USP 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.
Cefazolin for injection, USP is indicated in the treatment of the following
serious infections due to susceptible organisms:
RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS due to
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella species, Haemophilus influenzae,
Staphylococcus 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 at present.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS due to Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella species and
some strains of enterobacter and enterococci.
SKIN AND SKIN STRUCTURE INFECTIONS due to
Staphylococcus aureus (penicillin-sensitive and
penicillin-resistant), group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and other strains of
streptococci.
BILIARY TRACT INFECTIONS due to Escherichia coli, various strains of streptococci, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus aureus.
BONE AND JOINT INFECTIONS due to Staphylococcus aureus.
GENITAL INFECTIONS (i.e., prostatitis,
epididymitis) due to Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis,
Klebsiella species and some strains of enterococci.
SEPTICEMIA due to Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (penicillin-sensitive and
penicillin-resistant), Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella
species.
ENDOCARDITIS due to Staphylococcus aureus (penicillin-sensitive and
penicillin-resistant) and group A beta hemolytic streptococci.
Appropriate culture and susceptibility studies should be performed to
determine susceptibility of the causative organism to cefazolin.
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 70 years of age, 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 the appropriate therapy may
be instituted.
(See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)