Cefoperazone Intramuscular, Intravenous Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Cefoperazone

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 24, 2022.

Pharmacologic Class: 3rd Generation Cephalosporin

## Uses for cefoperazone

Cefoperazone injection is used to treat bacterial infections in the different parts of the body.

Cefoperazone injection belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, cefoperazone will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

Cefoperazone is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

## Before using cefoperazone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cefoperazone, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cefoperazone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of cefoperazone injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefoperazone injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefoperazone injection.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving cefoperazone, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using cefoperazone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Heparin

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using cefoperazone with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use cefoperazone, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

- Ethanol

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of cefoperazone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Alcohol abuse, history of or
- Malabsorption problems (eg, cystic fibrosis) or
- Poor nutrition status—May increase risk of having vitamin K deficiency.

- Allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics, history of—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

- Bleeding problems or
- Kidney disease or
- Stomach or bowel disease (eg, colitis), history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

## Proper use of cefoperazone

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you cefoperazone. It is given as a shot into a muscle or through a needle placed into a vein.

You should receive every dose that is prescribed to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop receiving the medicine too soon.

Detailed Cefoperazone dosage information

## Precautions while using cefoperazone

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are receiving cefoperazone. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to receive it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Cefoperazone may cause a serious allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after receiving cefoperazone.

Serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis) can occur with cefoperazone. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with cefoperazone.

Cefoperazone injection may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe and may occur 2 months or more after you stop receiving cefoperazone. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Cefoperazone may cause bleeding problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, headache, dizziness, or weakness, pain, swelling, or discomfort in a joint, pinpoint red spots on your skin, unusual nosebleeds, or unusual vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are receiving cefoperazone. The results of some tests may be affected by cefoperazone.

Do not drink alcohol during treatment and after you receive cefoperazone.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Cefoperazone side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

- Black, tarry, stools
- bluish color of the skin
- chills
- cough
- dark urine
- difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- fast heartbeat
- fever
- general tiredness and weakness
- light-colored stools
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- pain or swelling at the injection site
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- skin itching, rash, or redness
- sore throat
- stomach cramps
- swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- swelling of the foot or leg
- tenderness
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- upper right stomach pain
- vomiting
- watery or bloody diarrhea
- yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known

- Bleeding gums
- bleeding under the skin
- blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- clay-colored stools
- cold, clammy skin
- confusion
- coughing up blood
- dizziness
- fast, weak pulse
- headache
- increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
- joint or muscle pain
- lightheadedness
- loss of appetite
- nosebleeds
- paralysis
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
- red, irritated eyes
- red or black, tarry stools
- red or dark brown urine
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- stomach pain
- sweating
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Cefoperazone side effects (more detail)

## More about cefoperazone

- Check interactions
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: third generation cephalosporins
- Breastfeeding

### Patient resources

- Patient Information

### Related treatment guides

- Bacterial Infection
- Bacteremia
- Endometritis
- Febrile Neutropenia

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer