MEFOXIN®
cefoxitin sodium
1g Vial
What Is In This Leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about MEFOXIN. It does not contain
all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of
you using MEFOXIN against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
What Mefoxin Is Used For
MEFOXIN is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections caused by bacteria
(germs). These infections may occur in different parts of the body.
MEFOXIN is also used to prevent infections before, during and after surgery.
MEFOXIN is also used to treat uncomplicated gonorrhoea.
MEFOXIN is sometimes given with other antibiotics.
MEFOXIN belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins (pronounced
kef-al-o-spor-in ). It works by killing the bacteria causing your
infection.
Your doctor may have prescribed MEFOXIN for another reason. Ask your doctor
if you have any questions about why MEFOXIN has been prescribed for you.
Before you are given MEFOXIN
When you must not be given it
Do not use MEFOXIN if:
- you have an allergy to MEFOXIN, other cephalosporins, or any of the
ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to MEFOXIN may include skin rash, itchiness,
swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in breathing
or swallowing. - you have had a severe allergic reaction to penicillin antibiotics
You may have an increased chance of being allergic to MEFOXIN if you are
allergic to penicillins. - you have an allergy to local anaesthetics, including lignocaine
If you are being given MEFOXIN as an injection into a muscle, it is sometimes
made up with a local anaesthetic such as lignocaine.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if:
- you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
Like most medicines, the use of MEFOXIN is
generally not recommended during pregnancy. However, if there is a need to
consider using MEFOXIN during pregnancy, your doctor will discuss the possible
risks and benefits to you and your baby. - you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
Like most medicines, the use of MEFOXIN is
generally not recommended while breast-feeding. MEFOXIN passes into breast
milk. - you have any medical conditions, especially kidney disease
- you have had any allergies to:
- other antibiotics, in particular, penicillins and cephalosporins
- any other medicines
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before
you are given MEFOXIN.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that
you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food
shop.
Some medicines may affect the way other medicines work. Your doctor or
pharmacist will be able to tell you what to do when being given MEFOXIN with
other medicines.
How MEFOXIN is given
MEFOXIN can be given in two ways:
- as a slow injection into a vein
- as a deep injection into a large muscle.
MEFOXIN must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose and how long you will receive MEFOXIN. This
depends on your infection and other factors, such as your kidney function.
For most infections, MEFOXIN is usually given in divided doses throughout the
day.
Sometimes only a single dose of MEFOXIN is required for the treatment and
prevention of certain infections.
A single dose of MEFOXIN is used to treat uncomplicated gonorrhoea.
While you are using MEFOXIN
Things you must do
If you develop severe diarrhoea, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse
immediately. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after MEFOXIN has been
stopped.
Diarrhoea may mean that you have a serious condition affecting your bowel.
You may need urgent medical care. Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without
first checking with your doctor.
If you have to test your urine for sugar while you are being given MEFOXIN,
make sure your doctor knows which type of test you use.
MEFOXIN may affect the results of some of these tests.
If you get a sore white mouth or tongue while using or soon after stopping
MEFOXIN, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or
discharge.
This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes the use of
MEFOXIN allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. MEFOXIN does not
work against fungi.
Adverse Effects
Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel
well while you are being given MEFOXIN.
MEFOXIN helps most people with infection, but it may have unwanted
adverse-effects in a few people. All medicines can have adverse effects.
Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical
treatment if you get some of the adverse effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
While being given it
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry
you:
- pain, swelling, red skin or hard lump where you had the injection.
These are the more common adverse effects of MEFOXIN. For the most part,
these have been mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- signs of frequent or worrying infections such as fever, severe chills,
sore throat or mouth ulcers - bruising more easily than normal
- signs of anaemia, such as tiredness, being short of breath, and looking
pale - yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
- passing little or no urine
- dizziness or light-headedness.
These may be serious adverse effects of MEFOXIN. You may need urgent medical
attention. Serious adverse effects are rare.
A few people may be allergic to some medicines. Tell your doctor or nurse
immediately if you notice any of the following:
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in
swallowing or breathing - skin problems such as rash or itchiness
- pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettlerash
- fainting.
If you have these, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to MEFOXIN.
You may need urgent medical attention.
After finishing it
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following adverse
effects, particularly if they occur several weeks after stopping treatment with
MEFOXIN:
- severe abdominal cramps or stomach cramps
- watery and severe diarrhoea, which may also be bloody
- fever, in combination with one or both of the above.
These are rare but serious adverse effects. You may have a serious condition
affecting your bowel. This is because antibiotics such as MEFOXIN can change the
type of bacteria in the bowel. As a result, this allows bacteria, which is
normally present in the bowel and normally harmless, to multiply and cause the
above symptoms. Therefore, you may need urgent medical attention. However, this
adverse effect is rare.
Do not take any diarrhoea medicine without first checking with your
doctor.
Other adverse effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible adverse effects. You may not
experience any of them.
Storage
MEFOXIN will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.
The powder for injection is kept in a cool dry place where the temperature stays
below 30°C.
Product Description
What it looks like
MEFOXIN comes as a white to off-white powder in a glass vial.
Ingredients
Active ingredients:
- MEFOXIN 1g - cefoxitin 1g (as the sodium salt) per vial
- MEFOXIN 2g - cefoxitin 2 g (as the sodium salt) per vial