CefAZOlin Intravenous in Adults

Who can administer

May be administered by registered competent doctor or nurse/midwife

Important information

  • Unlicensed preparation
  • If documented immediate, or severe delayed hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin - DO NOT GIVE THIS DRUG. Contact ID or microbiology
  • See under 'Dose' for adjustments required in renal impairment

Available preparations

Cefazolin 1g vial

Reconstitution

Sodium Chloride 0.9% or Water for injection

  • Add 5ml per 1g vial

Infusion fluids

Sodium chloride 0.9% or Glucose 5%

Methods of intravenous administration

Can use either method of administration- choice depends on practicalities such as time available, fluid status of patient, etc

Slow intravenous injection (max 1g dose)

  • Give neat or dilute to any convenient volume to aid slow administration
  • Administer over at least 3 minutes

Intermittent intravenous infusion (ref 1)

  • Add required dose to 100ml of infusion fluid and administer over 30 to 60 minutes
  • A 50ml infusion may be used if required (eg fluid restriction) but the residual volume in the infusion line must be flushed through at the same rate to avoid significant underdosing

Dose in adults

Usual dose

  • Give 2g every eight hours (ref 2)
  • Duration of treatment (skin and soft tissue infection): 7 to 10 days (ref 2)
  • Up to a maximum dose of 12g per day may be required, depending on the severity of the infection (Micro/ID only)(ref 3)

Renal Impairment (ref 2)

eGFR (ml per minute/1.73m2) Dose Dose Frequency
35 to 54 Standard dose Every eight hours
11 to 34 Give 1 to 2g Every twelve hours
Less than 10 Give 1 to 2g Every twenty four hours
Intermittent haemodialysis (ref 2) Give 2g/2g/3g three times weekly with dialysis: 2g when next dialysis is two days later, 3g when next dialysis is three days later.e.g. haemodialysis Mon/Wed/Fri give 2g on Mon and Wed, give 3g on Friday
Other renal replacement therapy Consult pharmacy or specialist literature sources

Further information

  • For information on line locks (dialysis) with cefazolin- see intranet page
  • May also be given by intramuscular injection into a large muscle mass (intravenous route is preferred for severe or complicated infection)

Storage

  • Store below 250C

References

Cefazolin July 2021

1: Injectable Drugs guide, Accessed from Medusa downloaded 7th May 2025

2: GUH antimicrobial guidelines

3: Sanford guide to antimicrobial therapy digital app downloaded 29th April 2025

Therapeutic classification

Cephalosporin antibiotic (first generation)