Cefazolin sodium
Trade Names:
Ancel, Kefzol
Type of Drug:
Cefazolin sodium is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of drugs called cephalosporins.
How Drug Works:
Cefazolin sodium stops bacteria from making their protein cell wall, so the bacteria die. Cefazolin sodium is used to treat infections of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and soft tissue, gall bladder, and abdomen.
How Drug Is Given:
Cefazolin sodium is given as an injection in the vein over 30 minutes or as an injection in the muscle 2 to 4 times a day. The dose depends on the type of infection and how well your kidneys are working.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to antibiotics. All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, hives, red blotches on your skin, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
Use of antibiotics can change the normal organisms in your body. Women are at risk of getting fungal infections. Tell your nurse or doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.
Patients with kidney problems or with history of colitis (colon inflammation) should use this drug with caution.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
Less Common Side Effects
  • Vaginal itching
  • Pain at place of injection
  • Hardening of vein used for giving the drug
  • Vaginal candidiasis (fungal infections)
Rare Side Effects
  • Diarrhea related to infection of the intestinal lining (pseudomembranous colitis)
  • Rash
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection
  • Decreased red blood cell count with increased risk of anemia and tiredness (fatigue)
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Sleepiness
  • Fever, chills
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug

Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, fever, muscle aches, or blood in your urine. This can be a serious reaction and needs to be treated right away.

Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you get diarrhea that does not stop, abdominal cramping, and blood and/or pus in the stool. This needs to be treated right away.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: Yes