Cefotaxime

Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.

Generic name: cefotaxime
Drug class: Parenteral broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibacterial
Form: Injection (sodium salt)
Route: Parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular)
Legal status: Prescription-only medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · Canada

What cefotaxime is and how it works

Cefotaxime sodium is a parenteral broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibacterial used for proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or for prevention when directed by the product label. (1) (2)

All indication, dosing, renal adjustment, preparation, age, and duration decisions are clinician-directed. In the United States a critical shortage has led to temporary importation of a non-FDA-approved presentation; this is a shortage measure and does not confirm routine availability or approval of all presentations.

Mechanism of action: how cefotaxime works

Cefotaxime sodium is a parenteral third-generation cephalosporin antibacterial. Its bactericidal activity results from inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis. (1)

What cefotaxime is used for

Proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection

Cefotaxime is indicated for parenteral treatment of susceptible bacterial infections when the prescriber determines it is appropriate based on culture, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and local guidelines. It is not a first-line agent for all infections. (1)

Surgical or procedural prophylaxis

It may be used for perioperative prevention in labelled procedures when the responsible clinician confirms eligibility according to the product information. (1)

Before taking cefotaxime

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not receive cefotaxime after a severe hypersensitivity reaction to cefotaxime, any cephalosporin, or a product ingredient unless the responsible clinician determines otherwise under the exact local label and after formal allergy assessment. (all products) (1)
Do not use cefotaxime for a viral infection or for a bacterial infection that the prescriber has not confirmed as requiring this specific antibacterial. (all indications) (1)

Tell your clinician about

Any previous allergic reaction to a beta-lactam antibiotic, penicillin, cephalosporin, or other medicine.
History of severe skin reactions, colitis, or Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea.
Kidney disease, renal impairment, or dialysis, because dose adjustment is required.
Neurological conditions, seizure history, or current use of medicines that lower the seizure threshold.
Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

(1)

How to take cefotaxime

Cefotaxime is administered by a healthcare professional as an intravenous or intramuscular injection or infusion according to an indication- and patient-specific schedule set by the prescriber.
The exact dose, dilution, infusion duration, interval, and total treatment duration are determined by the clinician using the current product information and local guidelines.
Do not attempt to self-administer cefotaxime or adjust the dose, interval, or duration yourself.
Complete the prescribed course even if you feel better, unless the prescriber directs otherwise.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)

Missed dose

Cefotaxime is given in a healthcare setting on a defined schedule. If a scheduled dose is missed, the treating team will reschedule it. Tell the clinician if you believe a dose has been missed.

Overdose

Overdose is managed in the healthcare setting. If a dose error is suspected, the clinician will monitor neurological status, renal function, blood counts, and other parameters, and provide supportive care. No specific antidote is described in the product information. (1)

Side effects

Side effects of cefotaxime may emerge during or after treatment. Clinician monitoring includes hypersensitivity, haematological parameters, renal function, neurological status, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Gastrointestinal disturbance

What to notice: Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort.

What to do: Tell the treating team promptly, particularly if diarrhoea is severe, persistent, or contains blood or mucus. (1)

Injection-site reaction

What to notice: Pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness at the infusion or injection site.

What to do: Report discomfort to the healthcare team so they can assess the site and adjust administration if needed. (1)

New or worsening allergic symptoms

What to notice: Rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.

What to do: Alert the treating clinician or seek emergency care immediately if symptoms suggest a developing serious reaction. (1)

Severe or bloody diarrhoea

What to notice: Frequent watery or bloody stools, abdominal cramps, fever, or signs of dehydration appearing during or weeks after treatment.

What to do: Report to the treating team immediately. Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medicines unless the prescriber directs, as they can worsen the underlying condition. (1)

Serious warnings

Anaphylaxis or severe hypersensitivity — emergency

Symptoms: Sudden breathing difficulty, throat or tongue swelling, stridor, widespread hives, rapid heartbeat, faintness, collapse, or a feeling of impending danger.

Action: Administer emergency treatment as directed by the clinician and call emergency services. Cefotaxime must be stopped immediately and the reaction managed according to the current anaphylaxis protocol. (1)

Severe skin reactions — emergency

Symptoms: Widespread rash, blistering, peeling skin, mucosal sores, or painful red or purplish areas.

Action: Seek emergency medical assessment promptly. Let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop cefotaxime. (1)

Neurological symptoms (encephalopathy or seizures) — urgent

Symptoms: Confusion, altered consciousness, involuntary movements, convulsions, or reduced awareness, particularly in people with renal impairment or unadjusted dosing.

Action: Alert the treating clinician urgently. Dose review and supportive management are required. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Nephrotoxic medicines	Concurrent use may increase the risk of renal impairment and can require dose adjustment of cefotaxime.	The prescriber must review all medicines and renal function before and during treatment. (1)
Anticoagulants or antiplatelet medicines	Cefotaxime may potentiate bleeding risk through effects on vitamin K status or platelet function in susceptible people.	Inform the prescriber of all anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or over-the-counter medicines; monitoring of coagulation parameters may be indicated. (1)
Probenecid and other drugs affecting renal tubular secretion	Co-administration may increase and prolong cefotaxime serum concentrations.	Dose review by the prescriber is required if concurrent use is unavoidable. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Renal impairment

Cefotaxime doses must be adjusted in people with reduced kidney function. Full-dose administration without adjustment carries an elevated risk of encephalopathy, seizures, and other toxicity. The prescriber uses the current product label and measured renal function to determine the exact dose and interval. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Discuss benefits, risks, and the severity of the infection with the treating clinician. The decision to use cefotaxime in pregnancy or during breastfeeding is made on a case-by-case basis using the current product information. (1)

Older people and those with multiple comorbidities

Age-related renal impairment, concurrent medicines, and frailty increase the risk of neurological adverse effects and haematological abnormalities. Individualised dose review and monitoring are essential. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Confirm the clinical and microbiological indication, specimen cultures where relevant, and that cefotaxime is the appropriate agent.
Assess hypersensitivity history, renal function, hepatic function, baseline blood counts, neurological status, and concomitant medicines.
Select the correct dose, route, infusion duration, interval, and planned treatment duration using the current product information and considering renal function.

During treatment

Monitor for hypersensitivity, skin reactions, diarrhoea (including C. difficile-associated disease), neurological changes, blood-count abnormalities, and renal and hepatic function.
Reassess indication and need for continued treatment regularly; narrow or stop treatment as directed by culture results and clinical response.
Adjust dose promptly if renal function changes or if neurological symptoms emerge.

(1)

Storage

Cefotaxime is reconstituted and stored by healthcare professionals according to the specific product instructions. Do not handle, store, or administer the product yourself.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local product information, approved indication, dosing table, renal adjustment nomogram, and antimicrobial stewardship guidance. A U.S. critical shortage has led to temporary importation of a non-FDA-approved presentation; verify the exact product in use.

All regions

Indication: Any cefotaxime use

Dose summary: No universal dose is displayed. Dose, interval, route, infusion duration, and course length are determined by the prescriber from the indication, infection severity, pathogen susceptibility, patient age, weight, and renal function using the current local product label.

Renal context: Dose reduction is required in renal impairment. The exact adjustment depends on measured creatinine clearance, severity of infection, and the specific product information. Unadjusted dosing in renal impairment carries a risk of encephalopathy and seizures. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Hepatic impairment may alter pharmacokinetics; use local product information and specialist judgement. This page does not provide impairment-specific dosing.

Overdose note

No specific antidote is available. Management includes dose review, supportive care, monitoring of neurological and renal function, and consideration of haemodialysis in severe cases as determined by the treating clinician. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is cefotaxime currently available in the United States?

A critical shortage has affected the U.S. supply. The FDA has coordinated temporary importation of a Canadian non-FDA-approved cefotaxime product as a shortage measure. This does not mean all presentations are routinely available or approved, and your healthcare team will use the product that can be sourced according to current supply. (2)

Can cefotaxime be taken by mouth?

No. Cefotaxime is a parenteral medicine given by intravenous or intramuscular injection or infusion. It is not available as an oral formulation. (1)

Will cefotaxime work for a viral cold or flu?

No. Cefotaxime is an antibacterial and has no activity against viruses. It should only be used for proven or strongly suspected bacterial infections as determined by a clinician. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of cefotaxime?

Cefotaxime sodium is a parenteral third-generation cephalosporin antibacterial. Its bactericidal activity results from inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis. (1)

What is the generic name of Cefotaxime?

The generic name is cefotaxime. (1) (2)

What class of drug is cefotaxime?

Cefotaxime is classed as: Parenteral broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibacterial. (1) (2)

References

CEFOTAXIME- cefotaxime sodium injection, powder, for solutionU.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · United States · dated 2024-04-11 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
Temporary Importation of Non-FDA-Approved Cefotaxime — U.S. ShortageU.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · United States · dated 2026-06-15 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 2
Cefotaxime Injection — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
cefotaxime — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 2186)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient cefotaxime names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

Cefotaxime sodium (1)current regulator label · product-dependent · See current FDA prescribing information
Cefotaxime (temporary import, non-FDA-approved) (2)temporary import shortage measure · product-dependent · Refer to FDA temporary import notice

Canada

CLAFORAN - PWS INJ

View brands in additional countries.