Cefazolin

Cefazolin for Injection is a cephalosporin antibacterial indicated for perioperative prophylaxis in adult patients (1.1). To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefazolin for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefazolin for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria (1.2).

1.1 Perioperative Prophylaxis Cefazolin for Injection is indicated for perioperative prophylaxis in adult patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) . The perioperative use of Cefazolin for Injection is indicated in adult surgical patients in whom infection at the operative site would present a serious risk (e.g., during open-heart surgery and prosthetic arthroplasty). The prophylactic administration of Cefazolin for Injection preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively may reduce the incidence of certain postoperative infections in patients undergoing surgical procedures which are classified as contaminated or potentially contaminated (e.g., vaginal hysterectomy, and cholecystectomy in high-risk patients such as those older than 70 years, with acute cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice or common duct bile stones).

1.2 Usage To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Cefazolin for Injection and other antibacterial drugs, Cefazolin for Injection should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Cefazolin for Injection, USP: Supplied as 2 grams or 3 grams of cefazolin as a white to cream colored powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution. For Injection: 2 grams or 3 grams of cefazolin as a powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution. (3)

Hypersensitivity to cefazolin or other cephalosporin class antibacterial drugs, penicillins, or other beta-lactams (4.1)

4.1 Hypersensitivity to Cefazolin or the Cephalosporin Class of Antibacterial Drugs, Penicillins, or Other Beta-lactams Cefazolin for Injection is contraindicated in patients who have a history of immediate hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, serious skin reactions) to cefazolin or the cephalosporin class of antibacterial drugs, penicillins, or other beta-lactams [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .

• Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cross-hypersensitivity may occur in up to 10% of patients with a history of penicillin allergy. If an allergic reaction occurs, discontinue the drug. (5.1)
• Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea (CDAD) : May range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Evaluate if diarrhea occurs. (5.3)
• Prothrombin Activity : May be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity. Prothrombin time should be monitored in patients at risk and exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated (5.5)

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions to Cefazolin, Cephalosporins, Penicillins, or Other Beta-lactams Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions have been reported in patients receiving beta-lactam antibacterial drugs. Before therapy with Cefazolin for Injection is instituted, careful inquiry should be made to determine whether the patient has had previous immediate hypersensitivity reactions to cefazolin, cephalosporins, penicillins, or carbapenems. Exercise caution if this product is to be given to penicillin-sensitive patients because cross-hypersensitivity among beta-lactam antibacterial drugs has been clearly documented and may occur in up to 10% of patients with a history of penicillin allergy. If an allergic reaction to Cefazolin for Injection occurs, discontinue the drug.

5.2 Seizures in Patients with Renal Impairment Seizures may occur with the administration of Cefazolin for Injection, particularly in patients with renal impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)] . Discontinue Cefazolin for Injection if seizures occur. Anticonvulsant therapy should be continued in patients with known seizure disorders.

5.3 Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea Clostridioides difficile -associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including cefazolin for injection, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon leading to overgrowth of C. difficile . C. difficile produces toxins A and B, which contribute to the development of CDAD. Hypertoxin-producing isolates of C. difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality, as these infections can be refractory to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea following antibacterial drug use. Careful medical history is necessary since CDAD has been reported to occur over two months after the administration of antibacterial agents. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial drug treatment of C. difficile , and surgical evaluation should be instituted as clinically indicated.

5.4 Risk of Development of Drug-resistant Bacteria Prescribing Cefazolin for Injection in the absence of proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria. As with other antimicrobials, prolonged use of Cefazolin for Injection may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms. Repeated evaluation of the patient's condition is essential. Should superinfection occur during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken.

5.5 Prothrombin Activity Cefazolin for Injection may be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity. Those at risk include patients with renal or hepatic impairment or poor nutritional state, as well as patients receiving a protracted course of antimicrobial therapy, and patients previously stabilized on anticoagulant therapy. Prothrombin time should be monitored in patients at risk and exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated.

5.6 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Urinary Glucose The administration of cefazolin may result in a false-positive reaction with glucose in the urine when using glucose tests based on Benedict’s copper reduction reaction that determine the amount of reducing substances like glucose in the urine. It is recommended that glucose tests based on enzymatic glucose oxidase reactions be used. Coombs’ Test Positive direct Coombs' tests have been reported during treatment with cefazolin. In hematologic studies or in transfusion cross-matching procedures when antiglobulin tests are performed on the minor side or in Coombs' testing of newborns whose mothers have received cephalosporin antibacterial drugs before parturition, it should be recognized that a positive Coombs' test may be due to the drug.

The following serious adverse reactions to cefazolin for injection are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:

• Hypersensitivity Reactions to Cefazolin, Cephalosporins, Penicillins, or Other Beta-lactams [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
• Seizures in Patients with Renal Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
• Clostridioides difficile -Associated Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Adult Patients : Most common adverse reactions: gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, urticaria, skin rash). (6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact WG Critical Care, LLC at 1-866-562-4708 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reactions were reported from clinical trials: Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, oral candidiasis (oral thrush), mouth ulcers, vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, epigastric pain, heartburn, flatus, anorexia and pseudomembranous colitis. Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibacterial treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] . Allergic: Anaphylaxis, eosinophilia, urticaria, itching, drug fever, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Hematologic: Neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocythemia. Hepatic: Transient rise in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase levels has been observed. Reports of hepatitis have been received. Renal: Reports of increased BUN and creatinine levels, as well as renal failure, have been received. Local Reactions: Instances of phlebitis have been reported at site of injection. Some induration has occurred. Other Reactions: Pruritus (including genital, vulvar and anal pruritus, genital moniliasis, and vaginitis). Dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, confusion, weakness, tiredness, hypotension, somnolence and headache.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of cefazolin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Immune system disorders: Serum sickness-like reaction Renal and urinary disorders: Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (ATIN) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)

6.3 Cephalosporin-class Adverse Reactions In addition to the adverse reactions listed above that have been observed in patients treated with cefazolin, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibacterials: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, renal impairment, toxic nephropathy, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, a fall in prothrombin activity, hepatic impairment including cholestasis, and pancytopenia.

The renal excretion of cefazolin is inhibited by probenecid. Co-administration of probenecid with Cefazolin for Injection is not recommended. Probenecid: The renal excretion of cefazolin is inhibited by probenecid. Co-administration of probenecid with Cefazolin for Injection is not recommended. (7)

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published prospective cohort studies, case series and case reports over several decades with cephalosporin use, including cefazolin, in pregnant women have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Cefazolin crosses the placenta. Animal reproduction studies with rats, mice and rabbits administered cefazolin during organogenesis at doses 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) did not demonstrate adverse developmental outcomes. In rats subcutaneously administered cefazolin prior to delivery and throughout lactation, there were no adverse effects on offspring at a dose approximately 2 times the MRHD (see Data) . The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Human Data While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, published data from case-control studies and case reports over several decades have not identified an association with cephalosporin use during pregnancy and major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Available studies have methodologic limitations, including small sample size, retrospective data collection, and inconsistent comparator groups. Animal Data Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice and rabbits administered cefazolin during organogenesis at doses of 2000, 4000 and 240 mg/kg/day (approximately 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area comparison). There was no evidence of any adverse effects on embryofetal development due to cefazolin. In a peripostnatal study in rats, cefazolin administered subcutaneously up to 1200 mg/kg/day (approximately 2 times the MRHD based on body surface area comparison) to pregnant dams prior to delivery and through lactation caused no adverse effects on offspring.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Data from published literature report that cefazolin is present in human milk but is not expected to accumulate in a breastfed infant. There are no data on the effects of cefazolin on the breastfed child or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Cefazolin for Injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Cefazolin for Injection or from the mother’s underlying condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of Cefazolin for Injection for perioperative prophylaxis have not been established for pediatric patients.

8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 920 subjects who received cefazolin in clinical studies, 313 (34%) were 65 years and over, while 138 (15%) were 75 years and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. This drug is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, it may be useful to monitor renal function [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] .

8.6 Renal Impairment Recommendations for dosage adjustments or intervals for repeat dosing for perioperative prophylaxis in lengthy operative procedures or for postoperative use have not been established for adult patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance less than 55 mL/min).

Cefazolin is an antibacterial drug [see Microbiology (12.4)] .