What is Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Cefoxitin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Cefoxitin is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.
Cefoxitin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cefoxitin, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefoxitin 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, including tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefoxitin.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cefoxitin, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
- cefaclor (Raniclor)
- cefadroxil (Duricef)
- cefazolin (Ancef)
- cefdinir (Omnicef)
- cefditoren (Spectracef)
- cefpodoxime (Vantin)
- cefprozil (Cefzil)
- ceftibuten (Cedax)
- cefuroxime (Ceftin)
- cephalexin (Keflex)
- cephradine (Velosef); and others
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cefoxitin:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis
- diabetes
- congestive heart failure
- cancer
- if you are malnourished; or
- if you have had a very recent surgery or medical emergency
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.
Cefoxitin 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.
Mefoxin Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
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
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
- swelling, pain, or irritation where the injection was given
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
- feeling light-headed, fainting
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
- urinating less than usual or not at all
- seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
- jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- mild skin rash; or
- vaginal itching or discharge
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Mefoxin Interactions
What other drugs affect Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Before using cefoxitin, 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)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cefoxitin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
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.
Mefoxin Dosage
How should I take Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Cefoxitin is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be given instructions on how to inject your medicine 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 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. Cefoxitin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests, including tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefoxitin.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you keep this medicine at home, store it in a deep freezer at a temperature of 4 degrees below 0.
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.
Do not use the medication if it looks cloudy or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
What happens if I overdose on Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a cefoxitin overdose may include seizure (convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Mefoxin (Cefoxitin)?
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.
Edited from everydayhealth.com