CEFOTAXIME SODIUM

Claforan

Reviewed by Dr Peter Nobbs, Brenda Hughes, Robyn Wilkinson, Colin MacFarlane

October 1999

Management of Cefotaxime Administration

Description

White to pale yellow powder for reconstitution. Available as vials of 500 mg and 1 g. Reconstituted solution is pale yellow.
Osmolality: 360 mOsmol/kg (at 100mg/ml in WFI); pH 4.5-6.5.

Prescription

Stat doses are charted on stat page of prescription chart in mg/dose.
Maintenance doses are charted on the prescription chart in mg/dose.

Administration

Bolus

Dilute to 100mg/ml with water for injection ⁹.

	Cefotaxime 500mg	Cefotaxime 1gram
Powder space:	0.2ml	0.4ml
Water to be added	4.8ml	9.6ml
	500mg in 5.0ml	1 gram in 10.0ml
	100mg in 1.0ml	100mg in 1.0ml

Shake vigorously. Filter during administration through a 0.2 micron Pall filter.
Administer over 3 to 5 minutes ⁹^,10.
Compatible with sodium chloride 0.9% and glucose 5%.
Do NOT mix with other drugs, IV solutions, strongly alkaline solutions, blood or blood products.
Flush line with sodium chloride 0.9% before and after infusion of cefotaxime.

Nursing Considerations

Observe site closely for extravasation during administration.
Observe for signs of adverse effects, especially those suggesting a superinfection.
Observe for signs of renal, hepatic or haematological dysfunction during prolonged therapy.

Storage

At room temperature < 25° C until reconstitution. Protect from light.

References

1	Kearns GL, Jacobs RF, Thomas BR, et al. Cefotaxime and desacetyl-cefotaxime pharmacokinetics in very low birthweight neonates. J Pediatr 1989; 119:461.
2	de Louvois J, Mulhol A, Herly R. The safety and pharmacokinetics of cefotaxime in the treatment of neonates. Pediatr Pharmacol 1982; 2:275.
3	Kafetzis DA, Brater DC, Kapiki AN. Treatment of severe neonatal infections with cefotaxime: Efficacy and pharmacokinetics. J Pediatr 1982; 100:483.
4	Claforan ^® Data Sheet. Hoechst Marion Roussel; (937061-0): Auckland.
5	Nursing 97 Drug Handbook Springhouse 1997, p118-9.
6	Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Formulary of medications Lexicomp 1998, p132-3.
7	Reynolds JEF (Ed.) Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia. (31st ed). Royal Pharmaceutical Society; 1996: London
8	Micromedex Inc. Vol. 101 Exp date: 30/09/99.
9	Loe E. et al. Paediatric Pharmacopoeia, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Leicester Royal Infirmary Children’s Hospital . WB Saunders Co. Ltd; 1998: London
10	Paediatric Formulary. (4^th ed.) Guy’s, St. Thomas’ and Lewisham Hospitals