Cefazolin
Encyclopedia
Cefazolin also known as cefazoline or cephazolin, is a first-generation cephalosporin
antibiotic
.
The drug is usually administrated by either intramuscular injection (injection into a large muscle) or intravenous infusion (intravenous fluid into a vein).
and streptococci
of Gram
-positive bacteria
. These organisms are common on normal human skin. Resistance to cefazolin is seen in several species of bacteria.
s from cefazolin are not common. Possible side effects include diarrhea
, stomach pain or upset stomach, vomiting
, and rash
.
Like that of several other cephalosporins, the chemical structure of cefazolin contains an N-methylthiotetrazole (NMTT or 1-MTT) side-chain. As the antibiotic is broken down in the body, it releases free NMTT, which can cause hypoprothrombinemia
(likely due to inhibition
of the enzyme
vitamin K epoxide reductase
) and a reaction with ethanol similar to that produced by disulfiram
(Antabuse), due to inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase
.
Cephalosporin
The cephalosporins are a class of β-lactam antibiotics originally derived from Acremonium, which was previously known as "Cephalosporium".Together with cephamycins they constitute a subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics called cephems.-Medical use:...
antibiotic
Antibiotic
An antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
.
The drug is usually administrated by either intramuscular injection (injection into a large muscle) or intravenous infusion (intravenous fluid into a vein).
Indications
Cefazolin is mainly used to treat bacterial infections of the skin. It can also be used to treat moderately severe bacterial infections involving the lung, bone, joint, stomach, blood, heart valve, and urinary tract. It is clinically effective against infections caused by staphylococciStaphylococcus
Staphylococcus is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria. Under the microscope they appear round , and form in grape-like clusters....
and streptococci
Streptococcus
Streptococcus is a genus of spherical Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. Cellular division occurs along a single axis in these bacteria, and thus they grow in chains or pairs, hence the name — from Greek στρεπτος streptos, meaning...
of Gram
Gram staining
Gram staining is a method of differentiating bacterial species into two large groups ....
-positive bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
. These organisms are common on normal human skin. Resistance to cefazolin is seen in several species of bacteria.
Adverse effects
Adverse drug reactionAdverse drug reaction
An adverse drug reaction is an expression that describes harm associated with the use of given medications at a normal dosage. ADRs may occur following a single dose or prolonged administration of a drug or result from the combination of two or more drugs...
s from cefazolin are not common. Possible side effects include diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, stomach pain or upset stomach, vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...
, and rash
Rash
A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and...
.
Like that of several other cephalosporins, the chemical structure of cefazolin contains an N-methylthiotetrazole (NMTT or 1-MTT) side-chain. As the antibiotic is broken down in the body, it releases free NMTT, which can cause hypoprothrombinemia
Hypoprothrombinemia
Hypoprothrombinemia is a blood disorder in which a deficiency of prothrombin results in impaired blood clotting, leading to an increased physiological risk for bleeding, especially in the gastrointestinal system, cranial vault, and superficial integumentary system.-Causes:Hypoprothrombinemia can...
(likely due to inhibition
Enzyme inhibitor
An enzyme inhibitor is a molecule that binds to enzymes and decreases their activity. Since blocking an enzyme's activity can kill a pathogen or correct a metabolic imbalance, many drugs are enzyme inhibitors. They are also used as herbicides and pesticides...
of the enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
vitamin K epoxide reductase
Vitamin K epoxide reductase
Vitamin K epoxide reductase is an enzyme that reduces vitamin K after it has been oxidised in the carboxylation of glutamic acid. Its C1 subunit is the target of anticoagulant warfarin.- See also :* Oxidoreductase...
) and a reaction with ethanol similar to that produced by disulfiram
Disulfiram
Disulfiram is a drug discovered in the 1920s and used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol. Trade names for disulfiram in different countries are Antabuse and Antabus manufactured by Odyssey Pharmaceuticals...
(Antabuse), due to inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase
Aldehyde dehydrogenase
Aldehyde dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes that catalyse the oxidation of aldehydes.- Function :Aldehyde dehydrogenase is a polymorphic enzyme responsible for the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, which leave the liver and are metabolized by the body’s muscle and heart...
.