Cefotetan is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the bladder, lungs, genitals, stomach, skin, bones or joints.
This medicine may also be used to reduce the incidence of infections for those undergoing surgery.
Cefotetan is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle) or intravenously (into the vein).
The dose of this medicine may be given by deep intramuscular injection, slow intravenous injection, or by infusion.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of Cefotetan will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
You must complete the entire course of medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Cefotetan.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Cefotetan or any other similar medicines.
Alert your doctor if you have history of red blood cell disorder associated to medication with cephalosporin, as Cefotetan may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of penicillin allergy
- stomach disorder e.g. colitis (inflammation of the colon)
- risk of blood clot disorder
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going to undergo certain laboratory tests, inform your doctor that you are using Cefotetan.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Routine blood tests (e.g. complete blood count with differential, blood clotting), kidney and liver function tests may be needed for prolonged therapy. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Cefotetan may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea, and injection site pain, inflammation, discomfort or swelling.
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- signs of allergic reactions such as rashes, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing
- severe diarrhoea, watery or bloody stool
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicine for gout e.g. probenecid
- blood-thinning medicine e.g. warfarin
- other antibiotics e.g. gentamicin
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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