Methergine

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

 certain antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, or troleandomycin

 cocaine
 grapefruit juice
 imatinib
 medicines for colds, flu, or breathing difficulties
 medicines for fungal infections like itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, and
voriconazole
 medicines used to induce labor
 medicines used to treat migraines like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan,
rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan
 midodrine
 nefazodone
 other ergot alkaloids like ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, or methysergide
 some medicines for high blood pressure or chest pain
 some medicines for the treatment of HIV infection or AIDS

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

 clotrimazole
 fluconazole
 fluoxetine
 fluvoxamine
 zileuton

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the
medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you
smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Generic Name: Cefazolin

Brand Name: Ancef

Dosage: 250 mg

CLASSIFICATIONS
Therapeutic:
Anti-infectives

Pharmacologic:
First generation cephalosphorins

ACTIONS
• Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.

• Active against many gram-positive cocci including: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group A beta-
hemolytic streptococci; Penicillinas-producing staphylococci.

INDICATION
•Treatment of:
Skin & skin structure infections; pneumonia; urinary tract infections; bone & joint infections

CONTRA INDICATIONS
Contraindicated in:

•Hypersensitivity to cephalosphorins. Serious hypersensitivity to penicillin.

Use Cautiously in:

• Renal impair- ment

• History of GI disease, especially colitis
• Geriatric patients (consider age-related decrease in body mass, renal/hepatic/ cardiac function,
concurrent medications and chronic disease states)
• Pregnancy or Lactation

SIDE EFFECTS/ ADVERSE EFFECTS

• CNS:
Seizures (high doses)

• GI:
Pseudomembranous colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramps

• GU:
Interstitial nephritis

• DERM:
Rashes, urticaria

• HEMAT:
Blood dyscrasias, hemolytic anemia

• LOCAL:
Pain at IM site, phlebitis at IV site

• MISC:
Allergic reactions including Anaphylaxis and Serum sickness, superinfection
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
• Assess patient for infection (vital signs; appearance of surgical site, urine; WBC) at beginning
and during therapy.
• Before initiating therapy, obtain a history to determine previous use of and reactions to
penicillins or cephalosphorins. Persons with a negative history of penicillin sensitivity may still
have an allergic response.
• Obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity before initiating therapy.
• Observe patient for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash, pruritis, laryngeal edema,
wheezing). Discontinue drug and notify physician or other health care professional immediately
if these problems occur. Keep epinephrine, an antihistamine, and resuscitation equipment close
by in case of anaphylactic reaction.
• Monitor site for thrombophlebitis (pain, redness, swelling). Change sites every 48-72 hr to
prevent phlebitis.
• Instruct patient to report signs of superinfection (furry overgrowth on the tongue, vaginal
itching or discharge, loose or foul-smelling stools) and allergy.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional if fever and diarrhea develop, especially if
diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus. Advise not to treat diarrhea without consulting healthcare
professional.