Cefazolin (Ancef) Flashcards

Drug Class

• Classified as a first generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

Pregnancy Category

• Assigned category B, indicating no known risks to human fetus based on available studies.

Therapeutic Uses

• Treats bone and joint infections, genital infections, and endocarditis.
• Effective against respiratory, urinary, and skin infections when combined with cefaclor.

Mode of Action

• Functions by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, which leads to bacterial cell death.
• Demonstrates a bactericidal effect.

Side Effects

• Common side effects include abdominal cramps and fever.
• Other effects with cefazolin and cefaclor may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.

Adverse Reactions

• Potential for superinfections and urticarial reactions with cefazolin and cefaclor.
• Life-threatening adverse effects of cefazolin can include seizures (especially at high doses) and anaphylaxis.

Contraindications

• Should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.
• Caution is advised for those with a history of hypersensitivity to penicillins, renal disease, or during lactation.

Drug Interactions

• Probenecid can enhance the effects of cefazolin and cefaclor.
• May increase toxicity when used with loop diuretics, aminoglycosides, colistin, or vancomycin.
• Effectiveness can be decreased when used with tetracyclines or erythromycin.

Lab Interactions

• May result in increased levels of BUN, serum creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and bilirubin.

Pharmacokinetics

• Administered via intramuscular (IM) or intravenous (IV) routes.
• Plasma binding at approximately 85%.
• Exhibits a metabolism time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
• Around 70% is excreted unchanged in urine.

Pharmacodynamics

• For IM administration: rapid onset, peak effects within 0.5 to 2 hours, duration unclear.
• For IV administration: immediate onset, peak effects within 5 to 15 minutes, duration unclear.