Generic Name: Cefazolin

Brand Name: Ancef

Dosage: 250 mg

CLASSIFICATIONS
Therapeutic:
Anti-infectives
Pharmacologic:
First generation cephalosphorins
ACTIONS
• Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.
• Active against many gram-positive cocci including: Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci; Penicillinas-producing
staphylococci.
INDICATION
•Treatment of:
Skin & skin structure infections; pneumonia; urinary tract infections; bone &
joint infections
CONTRA INDICATIONS
Contraindicated in:
•Hypersensitivity to cephalosphorins. Serious hypersensitivity to penicillin.
Use Cautiously in:
• Renal impair- ment
• History of GI disease, especially colitis
• Geriatric patients (consider age-related decrease in body mass,
renal/hepatic/ cardiac function, concurrent medications and chronic disease
states)
• Pregnancy or Lactation
SIDE EFFECTS/ ADVERSE EFFECTS
• CNS:
Seizures (high doses)
• GI:
Pseudomembranous colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps
• GU:
Interstitial nephritis
• DERM:
Rashes, urticaria
• HEMAT:
Blood dyscrasias, hemolytic anemia
• LOCAL:
Pain at IM site, phlebitis at IV site
• MISC:
Allergic reactions including Anaphylaxis and Serum sickness, superinfection
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
• Assess patient for infection (vital signs; appearance of surgical site, urine;
WBC) at beginning and during therapy.
• Before initiating therapy, obtain a history to determine previous use of and
reactions to penicillins or cephalosphorins. Persons with a negative history of
penicillin sensitivity may still have an allergic response.
• Obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity before initiating therapy.
• Observe patient for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash, pruritis,
laryngeal edema, wheezing). Discontinue drug and notify physician or other
health care professional immediately if these problems occur. Keep
epinephrine, an antihistamine, and resuscitation equipment close by in case
of anaphylactic reaction.
• Monitor site for thrombophlebitis (pain, redness, swelling). Change sites
every 48-72 hr to prevent phlebitis.
• Instruct patient to report signs of superinfection (furry overgrowth on the
tongue, vaginal itching or discharge, loose or foul-smelling stools) and
allergy.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional if fever and diarrhea
develop, especially if diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus. Advise not to
treat diarrhea without consulting healthcare professional.