Reproduction studies performed in rats and rabbits have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Cefizox. There are, however, no adequate and wellcontrolled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human effects, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Cefizox is excreted in human milk in low concentrations. Caution should be exercised when Cefizox is administered to a nursing woman.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefizox and other antibacterial drugs, Cefizox should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.
FOR INTRAMUSCULAR
OR INTRAVENOUS USE
Description
Cefizox® (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) is a sterile, semisynthetic, broadspectrum, betalactamase resistant cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral (IV, IM) administration. It is the sodium salt of [6R[6a,7β(Z)]]7[[(2,3dihydro2imino4 thiazolyl) (methoxyimino) acetyl] amino]8oxo5thia1azabicyclo [4.2.0] oct2ene2carboxylic acid. Its sodium content is approximately 60 mg (2.6 mEq) per gram of ceftizoxime activity.
It has the following structural formula:
C12H12N5NaO5S2 405.38
Ceftizoxime for injection, USP is a white to pale yellow crystalline powder.
Cefizox is supplied in vials equivalent to 500 mg, 1 gram or 2 grams of ceftizoxime, and in Piggyback Vials for IV admixture equivalent to 1 gram or 2 grams of ceftizoxime.
Clinical Pharmacology
The table below demonstrates the serum levels and duration of Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) following IM administration of 500 mg and 1 gram doses, respectively, to normal volunteers.
Serum Concentrations After Intramuscular Administration Serum Concentration (μg/mL)
Dose
½ hr
1 hr
2 hr
4 hr
6 hr
8hr
500 mg
13.3
13.7
9.2
4.8
1.9
0.7
1 gm
36.0
39.0
31.0
15.0
6.0
3.0
Following IV administration of 1, 2, and 3 gram doses of Cefizox to normal volunteers, the following serum levels were obtained.
Serum Concentrations After Intravenous Administration Serum Concentration (μg/mL)
Dose
5 min
10 min
30 min
1 hr
2 hr
4 hr
8 hr
1 gram
NDND=Not Done
ND
60.5
38.9
21.5
8.4
1.4
2 grams
131.8
110.9
77.5
53.6
33.1
12.1
2.0
3 grams
221.1
174.0
112.7
83.9
47.4
26.2
4.8
A serum halflife of approximately 1.7 hours was observed after IV or IM administration.
Cefizox is 30% protein bound.
Cefizox is not metabolized, and is excreted virtually unchanged by the kidneys in 24 hours. This provides a high urinary concentration. Concentrations greater than 6000 μg/mL have been achieved in the urine by 2 hours after a 1 gram dose of Cefizox intravenously. Probenecid slows tubular secretion and produces even higher serum levels, increasing the duration of measurable serum concentrations.
Cefizox achieves therapeutic levels in various body fluids, e.g., cerebrospinal fluid (in patients with inflamed meninges), bile, surgical wound fluid, pleural fluid, aqueous humor, ascitic fluid, peritoneal fluid, prostatic fluid and saliva, and in the following body tissues: heart, gallbladder, bone, biliary, peritoneal, prostatic, and uterine.
In clinical experience to date, no disulfiramlike reactions have been reported with Cefizox.
Microbiology
The bactericidal action of ceftizoxime results from inhibition of cellwall synthesis. Ceftizoxime is highly resistant to a broad spectrum of betalactamases (penicillinase and cephalosporinase), including Richmond types I, II, III, TEM, and IV, produced by both aerobic and anaerobic grampositive and gramnegative organisms. Ceftizoxime has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections described in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section:
The following in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown. At least 90% of the following microorganisms exhibit an in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) less than or equal to the susceptible breakpoint for ceftizoxime. However, the safety and effectiveness of ceftizoxime in treating clinical infections due to these microorganisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled clinical trials.
Aerobic Gram-Negative Microorganisms
Aeromonas hydrophila
Citrobacter spp.
Moraxellacatarrhalis
Neisseria meningitidis
Providencia stuartii
Susceptibility Testing Methods:
Dilution techniques:
Quantitative methods are used to determine antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). These MICs provide estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. The MICs should be determined using a standardized procedure. Standardized procedures are based on a dilution method1 (broth or agar) or equivalent with standardized inoculum concentrations and standardized concentrations of ceftizoxime powder. The MIC values should be interpreted according to the following criteria:
For testing non-fastidious aerobic microorganisms other than Haemophilus spp., Neisseria gonorrhoeae:
MIC (μg/mL)
Interpretation
≤8
Susceptible (S)
16-32
Intermediate (I)
≥64
Resistant (R)
For testing Haemophilus spp. These interpretative standards are applicable only to broth microdilution susceptibility testing with Haemophilus spp. using Haemophilus Test Medium.2
MIC (μg/mL)
InterpretationThe current absence of data on resistant strains precludes defining any category other than “susceptible”. Strains yielding MIC results suggestive of a “nonsusceptible” category should be submitted to a reference laboratory for further testing.
≤2
Susceptible (S)
For testing Neisseria gonorrhoeae These interpretative standards are applicable only to agar dilution susceptibility testing using GC agar base and 1% defined growth supplements.
MIC (μg/mL)
InterpretationThe current absence of data on resistant strains precludes defining any category other than “susceptible”. Strains yielding MIC results suggestive of a “nonsusceptible” category should be submitted to a reference laboratory for further testing.
≤0.5
Susceptible (S)
A report of “Susceptible” indicates that the pathogen is likely to be inhibited if the antimicrobial compound in the blood reaches the concentrations usually achievable. A report of “Intermediate” indicates that the result should be considered equivocal, and, if the microorganism is not fully susceptible to alternative, clinically feasible drugs, the test should be repeated. This category implies possible clinical applicability in body sites where the drug is physiologically concentrated or in situations where high dosage of drug can be used. This category also provides a buffer zone, which prevents small-uncontrolled technical factors from causing major discrepancies in interpretation. A report of “Resistant” indicates that the pathogen is not likely to be inhibited if the antimicrobial compound in the blood reaches the concentrations usually achievable, other therapy should be selected.
Standardized susceptibility test procedures require the use of laboratory control microorganisms to control the technical aspects of the laboratory procedures. Standard ceftizoxime powder should provide the following MIC values:
Microorganism
MIC(μg/mL)
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922
0.030.12
Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247
0.06-0.5
Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC 49226
0.008-0.03
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853
16-64
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213
28
Diffusion Techniques:
Quantitative methods that require measurement of zone diameters also provide reproducible estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. One such standardized procedure2 requires the use of standardized inoculum concentrations. This procedure uses paper disks impregnated with 30-μg ceftizoxime to test the susceptibility of microorganisms to ceftizoxime.
Reports from the laboratory providing results of the standard single-disk susceptibility test with a 30-μg ceftizoxime disk should be interpreted according to the following criteria:
Zone diameter interpretative standard for testing non-fastidious aerobic microorganisms other than Haemophilus spp. and Neisseria gonorrhoeae:
Zone Diameter (mm)
Interpretation
≥ 20
Susceptible (S)
15-19
Intermediate (I)
≤ 14
Resistant (R)
Zone diameter interpretative standard for Haemophilus spp. These zone diameter standards are applicable only to susceptibility testing with Haemophilus spp. using Haemophilus Test Medium.3
Zone Diameter (mm)
InterpretationThe current absence of data on resistant strains precludes defining any category other than “susceptible”. Strains yielding MIC results suggestive of a “nonsusceptible” category should be submitted to a reference laboratory for further testing.
≥ 26
Susceptible (S)
Zone diameter interpretative standard for testing Neisseria gonorrhoeae.These interpretative standards are applicable only to disk diffusion testing using GC agar base and 1% defined growth supplements incubated at 5% CO2.
Zone Diameter (mm)
InterpretationThe current absence of data on resistant strains precludes defining any category other than “susceptible”. Strains yielding MIC results suggestive of a “nonsusceptible” category should be submitted to a reference laboratory for further testing.
≥ 38
Susceptible (S)
Interpretation should be as stated above for results using dilution techniques. Interpretation involves correlation of the diameter obtained in the disk test with the MIC for ceftizoxime.
As with standardized dilution techniques, diffusion methods require the use of laboratory control microorganisms that are used to control the technical aspects of the laboratory procedures. For the diffusion technique, the 30-μg ceftizoxime disk should provide the following zone diameters in these laboratory test quality control strains:
Microorganism
Zone Diameter (mm)
Escherichia coli ATCC 25922
30-36
Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247
29-39
Neisseria gonorrhoeae ATCC 49226
42-51
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853
12-17
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923
27-35
Anaerobic Techniques:
For anaerobic bacteria, the susceptibility to ceftizoxime as MICs can be determined by standardized test methods. Agar dilution results can vary widely when using ceftizoxime. It is recommended that broth microdilution method be used when possible.3 The MIC values obtained should be interpreted according to following criteria:
MIC(μg/mL)
Broth dilution
Agar dilution
Interpretation
≤ 16
≤ 32
Susceptible (S)
32
64
Intermediate (I)
≥ 64
≥ 128
Resistant (R)
Interpretation is identical to that described in Susceptibility Testing: Dilution Techniques.
As with other susceptibility techniques, the use of laboratory control microorganisms is required to control the technical aspects of the laboratory standardized procedures. Standardized ceftizoxime powder should provide the following MIC values:
Microorganism
MIC(μg/mL)
Broth dilution
Agar dilution
Eubacterium lentum ATCC 43055
16-64
16-64
Bacteriodes thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29741
---
4-16
Susceptibility Testing for Pseudomonas in Urinary Tract Infections
Most strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are moderately susceptible to ceftizoxime.
Ceftizoxime achieves high levels in the urine (greater than 6000 μg/mL at 2 hours with
1 gram IV) and, therefore, the following zone sizes should be used when testing
ceftizoxime for treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa.
Susceptible organisms produce zones of 20 mm or greater, indicating that the
test organism is likely to respond to therapy.
Organisms that produce zones of 11 to 19 mm are expected to be susceptible
when the infection is confined to the urinary tract (in which high antibiotic levels
are attained).
Resistant organisms produce zones of 10 mm or less, indicating that other
therapy should be selected.
Indications And Usage
Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of the microorganisms uled below.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections caused by Klebsiella spp.; Proteus mirabilis; Escherichia coli; Haemophilus influenzae including ampicillinresistant strains; Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinaseproducing); Serratia spp.; Enterobacter spp.; Bacteroides spp.; and Streptococcus spp. including S. pneumoniae, but excluding enterococci.
Urinary Tract Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinaseproducing); Escherichia coli; Pseudomonas spp. including P.aeruginosa; Proteus mirabilis; P. vulgaris; Providencia rettgeri (formerly Proteus rettgeri) and Morganella morganii (formerly Proteus morganii); Klebsiella spp.; Serratia spp. including S. marcescens; and Enterobacter spp.
Gonorrhea including uncomplicated cervical and urethral gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Escherichia coli or Streptococcus agalactiae. NOTE: Ceftizoxime, like other cephalosporins, has no activity against Chlamydia trachomatis. Therefore, when cephalosporins are used in the treatment of patients with pelvic inflammatory disease and C. trachomatis is one of the suspected pathogens, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added.
IntraAbdominal Infections caused by Escherichia coli; Staphylococcusepidermidis; Streptococcus spp. (excluding enterococci); Enterobacter spp.; Klebsiella spp.; Bacteroides spp. including B. fragilis; and anaerobic cocci, including Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp.
Septicemia caused by Streptococcus spp. including S. pneumoniae (but excluding enterococci); Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinaseproducing); Escherichia coli; Bacteroides spp. including B. fragilis; Klebsiella spp.; and Serratia spp.
Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinaseproducing); Staphylococcus epidermidis; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella spp.; Streptococcus spp. including Streptococcus pyogenes (but excluding enterococci); Proteus mirabilis; Serratia spp.; Enterobacter spp.; Bacteroides spp. including B. fragilis; and anaerobic cocci, including Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp.
Bone and Joint Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase and nonpenicillinaseproducing); Streptococcus spp. (excluding enterococci); Proteusmirabilis; Bacteroides spp.; and anaerobic cocci, including Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp.
Meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae. Cefizox has also been used successfully in the treatment of a limited number of pediatric and adult cases of meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Cefizox has been effective in the treatment of seriously ill, compromised patients, including those who were debilitated, immunosuppressed, or neutropenic.
Infections caused by aerobic gramnegative and by mixtures of organisms resistant to other cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, or penicillins have responded to treatment with Cefizox.
Because of the serious nature of some urinary tract infections due to P. aeruginosa and because many strains of Pseudomonas species are only moderately susceptible to Cefizox, higher dosage is recommended. Other therapy should be instituted if the response is not prompt.
Susceptibility studies on specimens obtained prior to therapy should be used to determine the response of causative organisms to Cefizox. Therapy with Cefizox may be initiated pending results of the studies; however, treatment should be adjusted according to study findings. In serious infections, Cefizox has been used
concomitantly with aminoglycosides (see PRECAUTIONS). Before using Cefizox
concomitantly with other antibiotics, the prescribing information for those agents
should be reviewed for contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse reactions. Renal function should be carefully monitored.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefizox and other antibacterial drugs, Cefizox 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.
Contraindications
Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) is contraindicated in patients who have known allergy to the drug.
Warnings
BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFIZOX IS INSTITUTED, CAREFUL INQUIRY SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS HAD PREVIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CEFIZOX, OTHER CEPHALOSPORINS, PENICILLINS, OR OTHER DRUGS. IF THIS PRODUCT IS TO BE GIVEN TO PENICILLINSENSITIVE PATIENTS, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED BECAUSE CROSS HYPERSENSITIVITY AMONG BETALACTAM ANTIBIOTICS HAS BEEN CLEARLY DOCUMENTED AND MAY OCCUR IN UP TO 10% OF PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY. IF AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO CEFIZOX OCCURS, DISCONTINUE THE DRUG. SERIOUS ACUTE HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS MAY REQUIRE TREATMENT WITH EPINEPHRINE AND OTHER EMERGENCY MEASURES, INCLUDING OXYGEN, IV FLUIDS, IV ANTIHISTAMINES, CORTICOSTEROIDS, PRESSOR AMINES, AND AIRWAY MANAGEMENT, AS CLINICALLY INDICATED.
Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including ceftizoxime, and may range in severity from mild to life threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents.
Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon and may permit overgrowth of clostridia. Studies indicate that a toxin produced by Clostridium difficile is a primary cause of “antibioticassociated” colitis.
After the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis has been established, appropriate therapeutic measures should be initiated. Mild cases of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuation alone. In moderate to severe cases, consideration should be given to management with fluids and electrolytes, protein supplementation, and treatment with an antibacterial drug clinically effective against Clostridium difficile colitis.
Precautions
General
As with all broadspectrum antibiotics, Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) should be prescribed with caution in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.
Although Cefizox has not been shown to produce an alteration in renal function, renal status should be evaluated, especially in seriously ill patients receiving maximum dose therapy. As with any antibiotic, prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms. Careful observation is essential; appropriate measures should be taken if superinfection occurs.
Cephalosporins may be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity. Those at risk include patients with renal or hepatic impairment, or poor nutritional state, as well as patients receiving a protracted course of antimicrobial therapy, and patients previously stabilized on anticoagulant therapy. Prothrombin time should be monitored in patients at risk and exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated.
Prescribing Cefizox in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Drug Interactions
Although the occurrence has not been reported with Cefizox, nephrotoxicity has been reported following concomitant administration of other cephalosporins and aminoglycosides.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Longterm studies in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of ceftizoxime have not been conducted.
In an in vitro bacterial cell assay (i.e., Ames test), there was no evidence of mutagenicity at ceftizoxime concentrations of 0.0010.5 mcg/plate. Ceftizoxime did not produce increases in micronuclei in the in vivo mouse micronucleus test when given to animals at doses up to 7500 mg/kg, approximately six times greater than the maximum human daily dose on a mg/M2 basis.
Ceftizoxime had no effect on fertility when administered subcutaneously to rats at daily doses of up to 1000 mg/kg/day, approximately two times the maximum human daily dose on a mg/M2 basis. Ceftizoxime produced no histological changes in the sexual organs of male and female dogs when given intravenously for thirteen weeks at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day, approximately five times greater than the maximum human daily dose on a mg/M2 basis.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B.
Reproduction studies performed in rats and rabbits have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to Cefizox. There are, however, no adequate and wellcontrolled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human effects, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Labor and Delivery
Safety of Cefizox use during labor and delivery has not been established.
Nursing Mothers
Cefizox is excreted in human milk in low concentrations. Caution should be exercised when Cefizox is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients from birth to six months of age have not been established. In pediatric patients six months of age and older, treatment with Cefizox has been associated with transient elevated levels of eosinophils, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and CPK (creatine phosphokinase). The CPK elevation may be related to IM administration.
The potential for the toxic effect in pediatric patients from chemicals that may leach from the singledose IV preparation in plastic has not been determined.
Geriatric Use
Clinical studies of ceftizoxime did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
Information for Patients
Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including Cefizox should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When Cefizox is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by Cefizox or other antibacterial drugs in the future.
Adverse Reactions
Cefizox® (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) is generally well tolerated. The most frequent adverse reactions (greater than 1% but less than 5%) are:
Hypersensitivity--Rash, pruritus, fever.
Hepatic--Transient elevation in AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase.
Hematologic--Transient eosinophilia, thrombocytosis. Some individuals have developed a positive Coombs test.
Local--Injection site--Burning, cellulitis, phlebitis with IV administration, pain, induration, tenderness, paresthesia.
The less frequent adverse reactions (less than 1%) are:
Hypersensitivity--Numbness and anaphylaxis have been reported rarely.
Hepatic--Elevation of bilirubin has been reported rarely.
Renal--Transient elevations of BUN and creatinine have been occasionally observed with Cefizox.
Hematologic--Anemia, including hemolytic anemia with occasional fatal outcome, leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have been reported rarely.
Urogenital--Vaginitis has occurred rarely.
Gastrointestinal--Diarrhea; nausea and vomiting have been reported occasionally.
Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis can appear during or after antibiotic treatment (see WARNINGS).
In addition to the adverse reactions uled above which have been observed in patients treated with ceftizoxime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporinclass antibiotics:
StevensJohnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, serumsickness like reaction, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemorrhage, prolonged prothrombin time, elevated LDH, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.
Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment, when the dosage was not reduced. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.) If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.
Dosage And Administration
The usual adult dosage is 1 or 2 grams of Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) every 8 to 12 hours. Proper dosage and route of administration should be determined by the condition of the patient, severity of the infection, and susceptibility of the causative organisms.
General Guidelines for Dosage of Cefizox
Type of Infection
Daily Dose (Grams)
Frequency and Route
Uncomplicated Urinary Tract
1
500 mg q12h IM or IV
Other Sites
2-3
1 gram q8-12h IM or IV
Severe or Refractory
3-6
1 gram q8h IM or IV 2 grams q8-12h IMWhen administering 2 gram IM doses, the dose should be divided and given in different large muscle masses. or IV
PIDIf C. trachomatis is a suspected pathogen, appropriate antichlamydial coverage should be added, because ceftizoxime has no activity against this organism.
6
2 grams q8h IV
Life-Threatening In lifethreatening infections, dosages up to 2 grams every 4 hours have been given.
Because of the serious nature of urinary tract infections due to P. aeruginosa and because many strains of Pseudomonas species are only moderately susceptible to Cefizox, higher dosage is recommended. Other therapy should be instituted if the response is not prompt.
A single, 1 gram IM dose is the usual dose for treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea.
The IV route may be preferable for patients with bacterial septicemia, localized parenchymal abscesses (such as intraabdominal abscess), peritonitis, or other severe or lifethreatening infections.
In those with normal renal function, the IV dosage for such infections is 2 to 12 grams of Cefizox (ceftizoxime for injection, USP) daily. In conditions such as bacterial septicemia, 6 to 12 grams/day may be given initially by the IV route for several days, and the dosage may then be gradually reduced according to clinical response and laboratory findings.
Pediatric Dosage Schedule
Unit Dose
Frequency
Pediatric patients 6 months or older
50 mg/kg
q6-8h
Dosage may be increased to a total daily dose of 200 mg/kg (not to exceed the maximum adult dose for serious infection).
Impaired Renal Function
Modification of Cefizox dosage is necessary in patients with impaired renal function. Following an initial loading dose of 500 mg-1 gram IM or IV, the maintenance dosing schedule shown below should be followed. Further dosing should be determined by therapeutic monitoring, severity of the infection, and susceptibility of the causative organisms.
When only the serum creatinine level is available, creatinine clearance may be calculated from the following formula. The serum creatinine level should represent current renal function at the steady state.
Males
Clcr =Weight (kg) x (140 age)
72 x serum creatinine
(mg/100 mL)
Females are 0.85 of the calculated clearance values for males.
In patients undergoing hemodialysis, no additional supplemental dosing is required following hemodialysis; however, dosing should be timed so that the patient receives the dose (according to the table below) at the end of the dialysis.
Dosage in Adults with Reduced Renal Function
Creatinine Clearance mL/min
Renal Function
Less Severe Infections
Life-Threatening Infections
79-50
Mild Impairment
500 mg q8h
0.75-1.5 grams q8h
49-5
Moderate
to severe impairment
250-500 mg q12h
0.5-1 gram q12h
4-0
Dialysis Patients
500 mg q48h
or 250 mg q24h
0.5-1 gram
q48h
or 0.5 gram q24h
Preparation of Parenteral Solution
RECONSTITUTION
IM Administration: Reconstitute with Sterile Water for Injection. SHAKE WELL.
Vial Size
Diluent to Be Added
Approx. Avail. Vol.
Approx. Avg. Concentration
Room Temp. Stability
500 mg
1.5 mL
1.8 mL
280 mg/mL
16 hours
1 gram
3.0 mL
3.7 mL
270 mg/mL
16 hours
2 gramsWhen administering 2 gram IM doses, the dose should be divided and given in different large muscle masses.
6.0 mL
7.4 mL
270 mg/mL
16 hours
IV Administration: Reconstitute with Sterile Water for Injection. SHAKE WELL.
Vial Size
Diluent to Be Added
Approx. Avail. Vol.
Approx. Avg. Concentration
Room Temp. Stability
500 mg
5 mL
5.3 mL
95 mg/mL
24 hours
1 gram
10 mL
10.7 mL
95 mg/mL
24 hours
2 grams
20 mL
21.4 mL
95 mg/mL
24 hours
These solutions of Cefizox are stable 24 hours at room temperature or 96 hours if refrigerated (5ºC).
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. If particulate matter is evident in reconstituted fluids, then the drug solution should be discarded. Reconstituted solutions may range from yellow to amber without changes in potency.
Piggyback Vials: Reconstitute with 50 to 100 mL of Sodium Chloride Injection or any other IV solution uled below.
SHAKE WELL.
Administer with primary IV fluids, as a single dose. These Piggyback vial solutions of Cefizox are stable 24 hours at room temperature or 96 hours if refrigerated (5ºC).
A solution of 1 gram Cefizox in 13 mL Sterile Water for Injection is isotonic.
IM Injection
Inject well within the body of a relatively large muscle. Aspiration is necessary to avoid inadvertent injection into a blood vessel. When administering 2 gram IM doses, the dose should be divided and given in different large muscle masses.
IV Administration
Direct (bolus) injection, slowly over 3 to 5 minutes, directly or through tubing for patients receiving parenteral fluids (see ul below). Intermittent or continuous infusion, dilute reconstituted Cefizox in 50 to 100 mL of one of the following solutions:
Sodium Chloride Injection
5% or 10% Dextrose Injection
5% Dextrose and 0.9%, 0.45%, or 0.2% Sodium Chloride Injection
Ringer’s Injection
Lactated Ringer’s Injection
Invert Sugar 10% in Sterile Water for Injection
5% Sodium Bicarbonate in Sterile Water for Injection
5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer’s Injection (only when reconstituted with 4% Sodium Bicarbonate Injection)
In these fluids, Cefizox is stable 24 hours at room temperature or 96 hours if refrigerated (5ºC).
How Supplied
Cefizox® (ceftizoxime for injection, USP)
NDC 0469725001 Product No. 725001
Equivalent to 500 mg ceftizoxime in 10 mL, singledose, fliptop vials, individually
packaged
NDC 0469725101 Product No. 725101
Equivalent to 1 gram ceftizoxime in 20 mL, singledose, fliptop vials, individually
packaged
NDC 0469725201 Product No. 725201
Equivalent to 1 gram ceftizoxime in 100 mL, singledose, Piggyback, fliptop vials, packaged in tens
NDC 0469725302 Product No. 725302
Equivalent to 2 grams ceftizoxime in 20 mL, singledose, fliptop vials, individually packaged
NDC 0469725402 Product No. 725402
Equivalent to 2 grams ceftizoxime in 100 mL, singledose, Piggyback, fliptop vials, packaged in tens
Unreconstituted Cefizox should be protected from excessive light, and stored at controlled room temperature (59º86ºF) in the original package until used.
Rx only
References
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Methods for Dilution Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests for Bacteria that Grow Aerobically – Fifth Edition. Approved Standard NCCLS Document M7-A5, Vol. 20, No. 2, NCCLS, Wayne, PA, January 2000.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility Tests – Seventh Edition. Approved Standard NCCLS Document M2-A7, Vol. 20, No. 1, NCCLS, Wayne, PA, January 2000.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. Methods for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Anaerobic Bacteria – Fourth Edition. Approved Standard NCCLS Document M11-A4, Vol. 17, No. 22, NCCLS, Wayne, PA, December 1997.
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. MIC Testing Supplemental Tables. NCCLS Document M100-S10 (M7), NCCLS, Wayne, PA, January 2000.
Product of Japan
Manufactured for:
Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc.
Deerfield, IL 60015-2548
DISCLAIMER:
"This tool does not provide medical advice, and is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Call your doctor to receive medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please dial 911."
"Do not rely on openFDA to make decisions regarding medical care. While we make every effort to ensure that data is accurate, you should assume all results are unvalidated. We may limit or otherwise restrict your access to the API in line with our Terms of Service."
"This product uses publicly available data from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services; NLM is not responsible for the product and does not endorse or recommend this or any other product."
PillSync may earn a commission via links on our site
