cefotaxime

Adult Dosing .

Dosage forms:  INJ

infections, bacterial

[1-2 g IM/IV q4-12h]

Max: 12 g/day; Info: dose, duration varies w/ infection type, severity

pneumonia, community-acquired

[1-2 g IM/IV q8h for at least 5 days]

Info: for inpatient tx; refer to IDSA guidelines

infections, disseminated gonococcal

[arthritis or arthritis-dermatitis]

Dose: 1 g IV q8h for at least 7 days; Info: may switch to PO regimen to complete course after 24-48h of clinical improvement; not 1st-line agent; if chlamydial infection not excluded, give w/ doxycycline, or azithromycin in pregnant pts

meningitis, bacterial

[2 g IV q4-6h]

endocarditis (off-label)

[2 g IV q4-8h x4-6wk]

Max: 12 g/day; Info: dose, duration varies w/ pathogen susceptibility, valve type; refer to AHA guidelines

PID (off-label)

[mild-moderate infection]

Dose: 500 mg IM x1; Info: give w/ doxycycline and metronidazole; not 1st-line agent

[severe infection]

Dose: 1 g IV q24h x14 days; Info: give w/ doxycycline and metronidazole; not 1st-line agent; switch to PO regimen ASAP to complete course

Lyme dz (off-label)

[2 g IV q8h x14-21 days]

Info: for neurologic dz; may switch to PO regimen when possible to complete course; not 1st-line agent; search 'Lyme' for epocrates Lyme Disease Dx & Tx decision tool

renal dosing

[see below]

CrCl <20: decr. usual dose by 50%

HD: 1-2 g q24h, on dialysis days admin. after dialysis; consider supplement if next maint. dose not due right after dialysis; PD: 0.5-1 g q24h; no supplement

hepatic dosing

[not defined]

Peds Dosing .

Dosage forms:  INJ

infections, bacterial

[neonates 0-7 days old, <2000 g]

Dose: 100 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q12h; Info: duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[neonates 0-7 days old, >2000 g]

Dose: 100-150 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q8-12h; Info: dose, duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[neonates >7 days old, <1200 g]

Dose: 100 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q12h; Info: duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[neonates >7 days old, 1200-2000 g]

Dose: 150 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q8h; Info: duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[neonates >7 days old, >2000 g]

Dose: 150-200 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q6-8h; Info: dose, duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[infants/children <50 kg]

Dose: 75-200 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q6-8h; Max: 12 g/day; Info: dose, duration varies w/ infection type, severity

[children >50 kg or adolescents]

see Adult Dosing

infections, disseminated gonococcal

[neonates]

Dose: 50 mg/kg/day IM/IV divided q12h x7 days; Info: extend duration to 10-14 days if meningitis

[arthritis or arthritis-dermatitis, adolescents]

Dose: 1 g IV q8h for at least 7 days; Info: may switch to PO regimen to complete course after 24-48h of clinical improvement; not 1st-line agent; if chlamydial infection not excluded, give w/ doxycycline, or azithromycin in pregnant pts

community-acquired pneumonia

[>3 mo]

Dose: 150 mg/kg/day IV divided q8h x10 days; Max: 12 g/day; Info: may switch to PO regimen when possible to complete course

endocarditis (off-label)

[200 mg/kg/day IV divided q6h for at least 4wk]

Max: 12 g/day; Info: dose, duration varies w/ pathogen susceptibility, valve type; refer to AHA guidelines

PID (off-label)

[mild-moderate infection, adolescents]

Dose: 500 mg IM x1; Info: give w/ doxycycline and metronidazole; not 1st-line agent

[severe infection, adolescents]

Dose: 1 g IV q24h x14 days; Info: give w/ doxycycline and metronidazole; not 1st-line agent; switch to PO regimen ASAP to complete course

Lyme dz (off-label)

[150-200 mg/kg/day IV divided q6-8h x14-21 days]

Max: 6 g/day; Info: for neurologic dz; may switch to PO regimen when possible to complete course; not 1st-line agent; search 'Lyme' for epocrates Lyme Disease Dx & Tx decision tool

ophthalmia neonatorum, gonococcal (off-label)

[100 mg/kg/dose IM/IV x1]

Info: not 1st-line agent

renal dosing

[see below]

CrCl <20: decr. usual dose by 50%

HD: 35-70 mg/kg/dose q24h, on dialysis days admin. after dialysis; consider supplement if next maint. dose not due right after dialysis; PD: 35-70 mg/kg/dose q24h; no supplement

hepatic dosing

[not defined]