In this article, we will discuss Cephalosporins – Dosage (Part-II). So, let’s get started.
Cephalosporins
Cefprozil It is a second generation cephalosporin. 5-30 mg/kg/day q 12 hr. Broad coverage of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms with beta lactamase stability.
Adult dose: 250-500 mg q 12 hr for 10 days, maximum dose 1 g/day.
Caution: Avoid below 6 months.
(Refzil-o, orprozil, 3 cef, zemetril tabs 250 and 500 mg, susp 125 mg and 250 mg/5 ml).
Ceftazidime 100-150 mg/kg/day q8 hr IV, IM. For meningitis, 150 mg/kg/day q 8 hr.
Adult dose: 2-6 g daily in 2-3 divided doses, maximum 6 g/day.
Indication: Specific for Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
(Inj fortum, ceftidin, cefzid, tizime, zytaz, zidime 250 mg, 500 mg, 1 g vials).
Ceftibuten 9 mg/kg/day orally once a day.
Adult dose: 400 mg once daily.
Indication: Wide coverage against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus and Enterobacter.
(Procadax cap 400 mg, susp 90 mg/5 ml).
Ceftizoxime 100-200 mg/kg/day IM, IV q 6-8 hr in severe infection. Use 30-60 mg/kg/day in less severe infections.
Adult dose: 1-2 g q 8-12 hr by deep IM or slow IV. In severe infections, use up to 6 g daily.
Indication: Wide coverage and excellent for anaerobes. Crosses blood-brain barrier.
(Inj cefizox, eldcef, epocelin, traxi, trizox, unizox, zatef 250 mg, 1 g vials).
Ceftriaxone sodium 50-75 mg/kg/day IV q 12-24 hr. For meningitis, use 100 mg/kg/day q 12 hr (maximum dose 4 g). 25-50 mg/kg (maximum 125 mg) IM or IV single dose can be given for treatment of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. For prophylaxis against N. meningitidis, 125 mg IM single dose can be given to all contacts.
Adult dose: 1 g daily by deep IM or slow IV; severe infections 2-4 g daily.
C/l: Pencillin or cephalosporin hypersensitivity.
(Inj monocef, axone, cefaxone, torocef, becef, ciplacef, cefzone, torocef, oframax, powercef, monotax, cefakit, ceftil, ceftrax, zone 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 1 g vials).
*Ceftriaxone with sulbactam sodium (inj cefjoy, xtum, sactum, ceftriax-S, cefzone-S-1500 contains 1000 mg ceftriaxone and 500 mg sulbactam; inj sactum-750, xtum-750 contains 500 mg ceftriaxone and 250 mg sulbactam).
Cefuroxime axetil 100-150 mg/kg/day q 6-8 hr IV and IM. Oral dose 20-30 mg/kg/day q 12 hr. For enteric fever, 40 mg/kg/day q 12 hr oral. Give with or after food.
Adult dose: 750 mg 8 hr IM or IV; severe infections 1.5 g q 8 hr; oral dose 250-500 mg twice daily.
(Ceftum, pulmocef, cefasyn, ceroxitum, ketstar, forcef, cefexl, cefoxim, cetil, zocef, zefu, cefakind tabs 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg; ceftum, cefoxim, zocef, zefu, kefstar, cefakind and fastclav syrup 125 mg per 5 ml. Inj cefogen, supacef, ceftum 750 mg, 1500 mg vials; inj furoxil 250 mg, 750 mg vials; inj altacef 250 mg, 750 mg, 1.5 g).
Cephalexin 25-100 mg/kg/day q 6-8 hr oral.
Adult dose: 250-500 mg every 6 hours (maximum 4 g/day).
C/I: Pencillin and cephalosporin hypersensitivity.
(Cephaxin, sepexin, ceff, sporidex, phexin, solexin, monacef caps 500 mg; cephaxin, sepexin, ceff, sporidex syrup 125 mg per 5 ml; sporidex, alcephin, ceff drops 100 mg per ml; sporidex DT 125 mg, 250 mg tabs, ceff kid tab 125 mg, ceff DT 250 mg).
Cepen-kidforte, monacef syp 125 mg/5 ml. Newer cephalosporins like ceftaroline, ceftolazone-tazobactam combination, cefotetan, cefoxitin are currently not available in India.