Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Mefoxin

Generic Name: cefoxitin (Pronunciation: sef OX i tin)

• What is cefoxitin injection (Mefoxin)?
• What are the possible side effects of cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using cefoxitin injection (Mefoxin)?
• How is cefoxitin given (Mefoxin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Mefoxin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Mefoxin)?
• What should I avoid while using cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?
• What other drugs will affect cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is cefoxitin injection (Mefoxin)?

Cefoxitin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cefoxitin is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Cefoxitin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• swelling, pain, or irritation where the injection was given;
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• mild skin rash; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about cefoxitin (Mefoxin)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cefoxitin, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefoxitin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests, including tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefoxitin.

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