Zinacef

Generic name: Cefuroxime Injection
Drug class: Second generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is Zinacef?

Zinacef is a prescription medicine that is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.

Description

Cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, single use, packaged combination of Cefuroxime Sodium USP (crystalline) and Dextrose Injection USP (diluent) in the DUPLEX sterile container. The DUPLEX Container is a flexible dual chamber container.

The drug chamber is filled with sterile crystalline Cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) for Injection USP, a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. It is the sodium salt of (6R,7R)-7-[2-(2-furyl)glyoxylamido]-3-(hydroxymethyl)-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate, 7²-(Z)-(O-methyloxime), carbamate (ester).

Cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) Sodium USP has the following structural formula:

The empirical formula is C₁₆H₁₅N₄NaO₈S, representing a molecular weight of 446.4.

Cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) contains approximately 54.2 mg (2.4 mEq) of sodium per gram of cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) activity.

The diluent chamber contains Dextrose Injection USP. The concentration of Hydrous Dextrose USP has been adjusted to render the reconstituted drug product iso-osmotic. Dextrose Injection USP is sterile, nonpyrogenic, and contains no bacteriostatic or antimicrobial agents.

Hydrous Dextrose USP has the following structural (molecular) formula:

The molecular weight of Hydrous Dextrose USP is 198.17.

Dextrose hydrous USP has been added to the diluent to adjust osmolality (approximately 1.45 g and 2.05 g to 750 mg and 1.5 g dosages, respectively).

After removing the peelable foil strip, activating the seals, and thoroughly mixing, the reconstituted drug product is intended for single intravenous use. When reconstituted, the approximate osmolality of the reconstituted solution for Cefuroxime (cefuroxime (cefuroxime injection) injection) for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP is 290 mOsmol/kg.

The DUPLEX Container is Latex-free, PVC-free, and Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-free.

Before taking Zinacef, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Zinacef; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking probenecid.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Zinacef with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Zinacef?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Zinacef. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Severe and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened with drugs like this one.
• Have your blood work checked if you are on Zinacef for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes) and test your urine glucose, talk with your doctor to find out which tests are best to use.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Zinacef.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking Zinacef.
• If you are 65 or older, use Zinacef with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is Zinacef best taken?

Use Zinacef as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into a muscle or as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• It may be given as a shot into a vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are the side effects of Zinacef that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Seizures.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Hearing loss.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.

What are some other side effects of Zinacef?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Diarrhea.
• Irritation where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Zinacef?

• If you need to store Zinacef at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

SRC: NLM .