Cefotaxime
Also sold as: Claforan
Prescription neededCephalosporins
Comes as:Injection
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor. Given by injection in hospital, usually every 8 to 12 hours. Often used for newborns and children with serious infections.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- pain at the injection site
- diarrhoea
- mild skin rash
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- severe allergic reaction (swelling of face or throat
- difficulty breathing)
- severe or bloody diarrhoea
- severe skin rash with blisters
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to cephalosporins
- Severe allergic reaction to penicillin in the past (use with caution)
- Severe kidney disease (dose may need to be lowered)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Moderate1 medicineTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Gentamicin
Often given together, but the risk of kidney damage is higher; kidney function should be checked.