Cefazolin
General Information
Do NOT use if patient has a history of severe penicillin allergy. If in doubt, discuss with Micro/ID
Restricted formulary antimicrobial: As per guidelines. Other indications must be recommended by a Micro/ID consultant or registrar.
AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Access'. Use as per guidelines.
For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF.
Drug Safety Updates
Caution: Prothrombin time, INR and APTT may increase on cefazolin treatment courses, please monitor. For more information see Cefazolin associated coagulation disorders
Dosing
|
Intravenous dose |
|
|
Standard dose |
1g TDS |
|
Severe infection |
2g TDS |
Cefazolin (with probenecid) can also be given under AHAH for certain indications. For more information, see Hospital at Home Patients section.
Obesity
For patients weighing 120kg or more who are on ITU or are immunocompromised: Consider using 2g iv tds, taking the patient’s renal function into consideration.
Renal and hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
|
Creatinine Clearance (mL/min)* |
Where the usual dose is 1g TDS |
Where the usual dose is 2g TDS |
|
35 or more |
Dose as in normal renal function |
|
|
11-34 |
500mg BD |
1g BD |
|
10 or less |
500mg OD |
1g OD |
|
PD (dialysed) |
500mg BD |
|
|
HD/HDF/High Flux (dialysed) |
1g daily or dose after each dialysis session, according to number of days between sessions e.g. mon-wed-fri dialysis is 2g-2g-3g |
|
*dose ranges use creatinine clearance, rather than eGFR
Note: Doses are based on Renal Drug Database
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment required
References
- Noridem Enterprises Ltd. Cefazolin 2g Powder for solution for injection/infusion summary of product characteristics. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency [Internet]. Last revision of the text 11/9/24. Available from: https://products.mhra.gov.uk/substance/?substance=CEFAZOLIN%20SODIUM Accessed 27/2/26
- The Renal Drug Database. Cefazolin [Internet]. Last updated 9/11/23 Available from: https://www.renaldrugdatabase.com/s/article/CEFAZOLIN-SODIUM Accessed 27/2/26
- Sanford Guide [online] Cefazolin. Last updated 26/2/26. Accessed via: https://webedition.sanfordguide.com Accessed 27/2/26
- British National Formulary. Cefazolin Accessed via: BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 27/2/26.