Ancef is a brand of Cefazolin, a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. Ancef is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It may also be used before and during certain surgeries to help prevent infection. Ancef works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
Ancef injection is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria including skin, bone, joint, genital, blood, heart valve, respiratory tract (including pneumonia), biliary tract, and urinary tract infections. Ancef injection may also be used before, during, and sometimes for a brief period after surgery in order to prevent the patient from getting an infection.
How should Ancef injection be used?
Ancef injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid, or as a premixed product, to be injected intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 30 minutes. Ancef injection can also be given intramuscularly (into a muscle). It is usually given every 6, 8, or 12 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have and how your body responds to the medication.
You may receive an Ancef injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving an Ancef injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefazolin injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Use cefazolin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using cefazolin injection too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
What are the side effects of Ancef injection?
Common side effects of Ancef injection include:
• Allergic reactions
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Eosinophilia
• Fainting
• Fever
• Gas
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Hives
• Increased transaminases
• Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, skin rash, or a hard lump)
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Low white blood cell count (leukopenia, neutropenia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Oral thrush
• Phlebitis
• Pseudomembranous colitis
• Rectal itching
• Seizure
• Skin rash or itching
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Stomach cramps/pain
• Thrombocytosis
• Tiredness
• Transient elevation of hepatic enzymes
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Weakness
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
What other drugs interact with Ancef injection?
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
• Ancef injection has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Serious interactions of Ancef injection include:
o antithrombin alfa
o antithrombin III
o argatroban
o BCG vaccine live
o bivalirudin
o cholera vaccine
o dalteparin
o enoxaparin
o fondaparinux
o heparin
o lepirudin
o tinzaparin
o typhoid vaccine live
o warfarin
• Moderate interactions of Ancef injection include:
o bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens
o dienogest/estradiol valerate
o estradiol
o ethinylestradiol
o probenecid
o sodium picosulfate/magnesium oxide/anhydrous citric acid
- Mild interactions of Anacef injection include:
o aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
o biotin
o furosemide
o ketorolac intranasal
o pyridoxine (antidote)
o rose hips
o sulfasalazine
o Willow bark
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
