Adult Dosing
Bacterial infection
- Usual dose: 1-2 g IM/IV q12 hrs x 5-10 days
Urinary Tract Infection
- 500 mg IM/IV q12 hrs or 1-2 g IM/IV q12-24 hrs
Mild to moderate skin and skin structures
- 2 g IV q24 hrs or 1 g IM/IV q12 hrs
Severe skin and skin structure
Other sites infection
Severe infection
Life threatening infection
- 3 g IV q12 hrs; Max: 6 g/day
Prophylaxis
- 1-2 g IV once 30-60 mins prior to surgery; when used for cesarean section, dose should be given as soon as umbilical cord is clamped
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and effectiveness in pedatric patients have not been established
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- >30 mL/min: 1-2 q24 hrs
- 10-30mL/min: 1-2 g q24 hrs
- <10 mL/min: 1-2 g q48 hrs
- Hemodialysis: Decrease usual dose 75% and give q24 hrs between dialysis days; decrease usual dose by 50% and give q24 hrs on dialysis days
- CAPD: 1 g q24 hrs
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Caution advised
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Before therapy with cefotetan is instituted, careful inquiry should be made to determine whether the patient has had previous hypersensitivity reactions to cefotetan, cephalosporins, penicillins or other drugs
- If the patient develops allergic reaction to cefotetan, discontinue therapy; may require treatment with epinephrine and other appropriate emergency measures as clinically indicated if serious acute hypersensitivity reactions occur
- Avoid use in the absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or as a prophylactic agent due to the increased risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria
- Overt or known subclinical diabetes mellitus or carbohydrate intolerance (dextrose-containing solutions)
- Caution must be exercised to discontinue pumping action before the container runs dry to avoid the possibility of air embolism
- Cefotetan and dextrose in duplex container is used for intravenous administration only
- Monitor prothrombin time periodically; administer exogenous vitamin K if needed
- Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents, including cefotetan; may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents
- Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms and organisms initially sensitive to the drug; careful observation of the patients is essential
- If superinfection occur during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken
- Monitor periodically for signs and symptoms of hemolytic anemia in patients with prolonged use of cefotetan. Consider this diagnosis in patients who present with anemia anytime within 2-3 wks following cefotetan therapy; blood transfusions may be needed
- Monitor Coagulation abnormalities and respose to therapy
Cautions: Use with caution in
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic dysfunction
- Penicillin or other allergy
- Poor nutritional state
- Cancer patients
- Elderly or debilitated (monitor prothrombin time)
- GI disease
- Seizure disorder
- Concurrent nephrotoxic agents
Supplemental Patient Information
- Instruct patient to contact physican if fever and diarrhea develop, especially if stool is watery and bloody (with or without stomach cramps and fever)
- Advise patients to avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this drug
Pregnancy Category:B
Breastfeeding: Excreated in human milk in very low concentrations. Caution should be exercised when administered to a nursing woman.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
cefotetan (generic)
- PWDR for INJ: 1 g/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 2 g/vial
- PWDR for INJ: 10 g/vial
cefotetan and dextrose in duplex container (generic)
- INJ: 1 g/vial
- INJ: 2 g/vial
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability