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Cephalosporins

Cefotaxime

Also sold as: Claforan

Prescription neededCephalosporins

Comes as:Injection

Usual adult dose

Cephalosporins

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.

Pregnancy

Category B

No risk seen in animal studies, but there are few studies in pregnant women. Usually considered safe when needed.

Generic alternatives

Similar medicines your doctor or pharmacist may offer instead.

Ceftriaxone

Check with my other medicines

Always follow your doctor or pharmacistThis page is general information, not a prescription. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.