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Ancef In Sodium Chloride 0.9% In Plastic Container (Cefazolin Sodium)
Cefazolin is an antibacterial drug that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Cefazolin for Injection and Dextrose Injection is a first-generation cephalosporin indicated for treatment of multiple bacterial infections including respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissue, biliary tract, bone and joint, genital infections, septicemia, and endocarditis, as well as perioperative prophylaxis. The drug demonstrates rapid IV absorption with peak serum concentrations of 185-280 mcg/mL and a short half-life of approximately 1.8-2.4 hours depending on dose and patient weight. Primary safety concern is hypersensitivity reactions in patients with documented beta-lactam allergy, and drug interaction with probenecid which inhibits renal clearance. Cefazolin remains a widely used and effective first-line agent for susceptible bacterial infections when appropriate dosing can be achieved.
At a glance
| Generic name | Cefazolin Sodium |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | GSK |
| Drug class | Cephalosporin |
| Target | Bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Metabolic |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1973 |
Mechanism of action
Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibacterial agent. As a beta-lactam antibiotic, it functions by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis through binding to penicillin-binding proteins and disrupting peptidoglycan cross-linking. This mechanism results in bacterial cell wall weakening and cell lysis, leading to bactericidal activity against susceptible organisms.
Approved indications
- Bacterial endocarditis
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Bacterial septicemia
- Bacterial urinary infection
- Cholangitis
- Genitourinary Tract Infections
- Infection of biliary tract
- Infection of bone
- Infection of skin AND/OR subcutaneous tissue
- Infectious disorder of joint
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Pneumonia due to Streptococcus
- Prevention of Perioperative Infection
- Staphylococcal pneumonia
Common side effects
- nausea
- infusion site pain
- headache
Drug interactions
- Probenecid
Key clinical trials
- Duration of Cardiac Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Outcomes Study (PHASE4)
- Effects of Red and Infrared Photobiomodulation in Rhinoplasty at a Single Centre (NA)
- Optimizing the Diagnostic Approach to Cephalosporin Allergy Testing (PHASE2)
- Antibiotics for Prevention of Infection Following Orthognathic Surgery (PHASE4)
- Prophylaxis Against Surgical Site Infections Using Local as Well as Systemic Antibiotic (NA)
- Prevention of Infections in Cardiac Surgery (PICS): a Cluster-randomized Factorial Cross-over Trial (PHASE4)
- Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Obesity-Related Induction Complications in Nulliparae at Term 2.0 (PHASE2)
- Opioid-Free vs Opioid-Based Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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