Cefoxitin

Pronunciation: sef-OX-i-tin
Generic Name: Cefoxitin
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Cefoxitin is used for:

Treating bacterial infections or preventing bacterial infections before, during, or after certain surgeries.

Cefoxitin is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Cefoxitin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cefoxitin or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cefoxitin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cefoxitin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)


• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, myasthenia gravis, or poor nutrition

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cefoxitin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Heparin because the risk of its side effects, including risk of bleeding, may be increased by Cefoxitin


• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin) because the risk of kidney side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cefoxitin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cefoxitin:

Use Cefoxitin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Cefoxitin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Cefoxitin at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Cefoxitin. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Cefoxitin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• To clear up your infection completely, use Cefoxitin for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Cefoxitin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cefoxitin.

Important safety information:

• Cefoxitin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Cefoxitin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Cefoxitin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur during treatment or within several months after treatment with Cefoxitin. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Diabetes patients - Cefoxitin may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Cefoxitin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Cefoxitin.


• Lab tests, including kidney or liver tests or blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Cefoxitin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Cefoxitin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Use Cefoxitin with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Use Cefoxitin with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cefoxitin while you are pregnant. Cefoxitin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Cefoxitin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cefoxitin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; decreased urination; dizziness; fever; hoarseness; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; stomach pain or cramping; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vaginal irritation or discharge; vein inflammation; white patches in mouth; yellowing of the eyes and skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Cefoxitin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include muscle spasms; seizures.

Proper storage of Cefoxitin:

Cefoxitin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Cefoxitin at home, store Cefoxitin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Cefoxitin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cefoxitin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Cefoxitin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cefoxitin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Cefoxitin resources

• Cefoxitin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Cefoxitin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Cefoxitin Drug Interactions
• Cefoxitin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Cefoxitin - Add your own review/rating

• Cefoxitin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cefoxitin Sodium Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Mefoxin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• cefoxitin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• cefoxitin Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

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