Cefotetan injection is used to treat infections of the lungs, skin, bones, joints, stomach area, blood, female reproductive tract, and urinary tract. Cefotetan injection is also used before surgery to prevent infections. Cefotetan injection is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
Cefotetan injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein) or it can be injected into a large muscle (such as your buttock). It is usually given one or two times a day. You may receive cefotetan injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you are using cefotetan injection at home, use it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefotetan injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefotetan injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use cefotetan injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using cefotetan injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.
nausea
diarrhea
shortness of breath
fast heartbeat
headache
dizziness
pale skin
confusion
extreme tiredness
severe diarrhea with watery or bloody stools (up to 2 months after your treatment)
fever
stomach pain
unusual bleeding or bruising
hives
skin rash
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
Cefotetan injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
If you will be injecting cefotetan injection at home, your healthcare provider will tell you where you should store it and how long you may keep it. Follow these directions carefully. Be sure to store cefotetan injection in the container it came in and out of reach of children. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your health care provider about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to cefotetan injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using cefotetan injection.
If you are diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine for sugar while taking this medication.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish cefotetan injection, talk to your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.