Apatef (Cefotetan)

Apatef Information

Apatef is an injection. It is a sterile, semi-synthetic, broad spectrum, beta lactamase resistant cephalosporin antibiotic and is used for prenteral administration. It is supplied in vials and is white to pale yellow powder that is very soluble in water.

Apatef Indications

Apatef has a variety of uses. It is primarily used, however to treat infections. It is used to treat therapeutically any of the following:

Urinary Tract Infections
Prophylaxis
Intra-abdominal infections
Bone and joint infections
Gynecologic infections
Lower respiratory infections
Skin and skin structure infections

Apatef may also be used for purposes not mentioned here.

Apatef Warnings

Apatef is not advisable to patients who have allergy to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics. It is also not advised to patients who have cephalosporin-associated hemolytic anemia.

Apatef has been observed to may cause an immune mediate hemolytic anemia. If any type of anemia should be observed during the treatment of this drug, discontinue use and inform your doctor at the soonest possible time.

Apatef belongs to the FDA pregnancy Category B, which means it is not known to cause any harm to an unborn baby. Inform your doctor, however if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant while taking this drug. Very small quantities of this drug have been known to pass through breast milk. Inform your doctor if you are nursing a baby.

The safety and effectiveness of this drug on children have not been established. Do not administer this to a child without discussing it with your doctor.

Since this drug may be excreted through the kidney, people with renal failure should not take this drug without thoroughly discussing the situation with a doctor.

Apatef Intake Guidelines

Directions on how should Apatef be taken must be obtained from your doctor.

Apatef should be may be taken in intravenously or intramuscularly.

When administered intravenously, the patient may receive Apatef through a tubing system. For intermittent intravenous administration, Apatef may be injected over a period of three to five minutes.

When administered intramuscularly, it should be injected deep within the body of a comparatively large muscle such as the gluteus maximus. Aspiration may be necessary so as not to accidentally inject a blood vessel.

Apatef Dosage

Obtain the dosage of Apatef from your doctor. The dosage may vary from person to person with regards to the condition of the patient, severity of the infection, susceptibility of the causative organism and many other factors.

Apatef Overdose

The symptoms of overdose of Apatef are not yet known. If overdose is suspected, or if you think that you have taken in more of this drug than you should, inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.

Apatef Missed Dose

A dose of Apatef should not be missed. If a dose is missed, however inform your doctor immediately and refer to him as to what you should do.

Apatef Side Effects

Apatef has been observed to cause hematological, gastrointestinal, hypersensitive, hepatic, renal, urogenital and local side effects.

They include:

Pseudomembranous colitis
Agranulocytosis
hemolytic anemia
Leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Prolong prothrombin time with or without bleeding
Anaphylactic reactions
Urticaria
Elevations in Bun and serum creatanine
Nephrotoxicity
Fever

Inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these side effects.

Apatef Drug Reactions

Amino glycoside may react with Apatef. If used concomitantly, nephrotoxicity may occur so renal function should be carefully monitored.

Other drugs may also react with Apatef. Inform your doctor if you are taking any drugs other than Apatef including over the counter prescriptions such as vitamins, herbal products and others.