Ceftizoxime belongs to a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Ceftizoxime injection is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms such as:

• Lower respiratory tract infections.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease).
• Gynecological infections.
• Intra-abdominal infections.
• Blood infections (septicemia).
• Skin and skin structures infections.
• Bone and joint infections.
• Brain infection (meningitis).

Ceftizoxime may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this PIL.

Do not take Cefizox

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ceftizoxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as: cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefixime, cefprozil, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, cephalexin, and others.

Take special care with Cefizox

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or
• If you are malnourished.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ceftizoxime, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftizoxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ceftizoxime.

Taking other medicines, herbal or dietary supplements

Before using ceftizoxime, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, or tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use ceftizoxime, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect ceftizoxime. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

FDA pregnancy category B.

This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Ceftizoxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Cefizox contains sodium

Cefizox contains sodium. Each vial of Cefizox 1000 mg Powder for Injection contains 60 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt). This is equivalent to 3% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need 7000 mg or more milligrams daily for a prolonged period, especially if you have been advised to follow a low salt (sodium) diet.

Ceftizoxime is given as an injection into a vein. Injection into a vein must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to use your injections at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, syringes, and other items used in giving the medicine.

Use the medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftizoxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

To use the medicine, thaw it in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Do not warm in a microwave or boiling water. Keep thawed medicine in the refrigerator and use it within 28 days after thawing it. Do not refreeze thawed medicine.

If you take more Cefizox than you should

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a ceftizoxime overdose may include seizure (convulsions).

If you forget to take Cefizox

It is unlikely as Cefizox is given to you by your doctor or healthcare provider. But if you are concerned about missing a dose, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider.

If you are taking Cefizox at home, use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• severe pain, burning, irritation, or skin changes where the needle was placed;
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• uneven heartbeats;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• pain, irritation, or hardening where the injection was given;
• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• numbness or tingling;
• headache; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Store below 30°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

The recommended storage times after reconstitution with water for injection are 8 hours at room temperature and 12 hours at 2-8°C.

The recommended storage times after dilution with one of the diluents mentioned below in section 6 are 6 hours at room temperature and 24 hours at 2-8°C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the package after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not use this medicine if you notice any visible signs of deterioration.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.