Cefamandole, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: cephalosporin antibiotic

Generic and brand names: cefamandole, injection; Mandol

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a kind of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It does not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu. It is given by injection (shot) into a vein or into a muscle. This medicine may also be used before,during, and after surgery to decrease the risk of infection.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

If you are allergic to penicillin, you may be allergic to this medicine. Tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any medicines.

Tell your health care provider if you have any urinary problems. This medicine may cause seizures (convulsions) in people with kidney disease if your dose is not adjusted. If you have seizures, contact your health care provider right away.

Tell your health care provider if you have any bleeding problems.

Tell your health care provider if you have a history of colitis (inflammation of the colon).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How do I use it?

You must receive all injections prescribed or the infection may return. If you are not staying in the hospital while you get these injections, keep all your appointments for injections and blood tests.

Your health care provider may prescribe another antibiotic to be taken by mouth to complete your treatment. If so, follow your health care provider's instructions for taking the medicine. Take it for as long as your health care provider prescribes.

What should I watch out for?

If you have an allergic reaction to this medicine (hives, itching, tightness in your chest, or trouble breathing), contact your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect urine sugar test results. Talk to your health care provider about urine and blood sugar tests while you are taking this medicine.

You may develop a different infection while you are taking this medicine. Report any signs of infection to your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Fever, yellowish skin or eyes, constant diarrhea, bloody or black tarry stools, joint pain, numbness.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, gas, dizziness, headache, confusion, fatigue, drowsiness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

Drinking alcohol with or up to 72 hours after receiving shots of cephalosporin medicine may cause severe vomiting, flushing, or throbbing in your neck and head.

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics such as kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin), streptomycin, gentamicin (Garamycin), and tobramycin (Nebcin)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• loop diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
• probenecid (Benemid).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.