ROCEPHIN

Drug Name: ROCEPHIN

ROCEPHIN DESCRIPTION:
CEPHALOSPORINS - INJECTION

COMMON ROCEPHIN BRAND NAME(S):
Ancef, Cefadyl, Cefizox, Cefobid, Cefotan, Claforan, Fortaz, Keflin, Kefzol, Mandol, Mefoxin, Monocid, Rocephin, Tazicef, Tazidime, Zinacef

ROCEPHIN SIDE EFFECTS:
Notify your doctor immediately if an allergic reaction occurs while using ROCEPHIN. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives, itching. Tell your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, fever or unusual weakness either while using ROCEPHIN or after discontinuing use. Also, report promptly any persistent sore throat, easy bruising or bleeding or a change in amount of urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE ROCEPHIN:
ROCEPHIN: Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. This is done by administering the drug at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to use ROCEPHIN until the full prescribed time is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection. Before using, check the product visually for particles or discoloraton. If either is present, do not use it.

ROCEPHIN USES:
Cephalosporins are antibiotics used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections.

ROCEPHIN PRECAUTIONS:
Before using ROCEPHIN, tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillins, cephalosporins or any other drugs. Also, tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney, liver or stomach problems; and of your alcohol usage. Use of ROCEPHIN for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection). ROCEPHIN should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Since small amounts of the drug appear in breast milk, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

ROCEPHIN DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), and live vaccines. Certain cephalosporins (your medication belongs to this class of drugs) can interact strongly with alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while using ROCEPHIN and for 72 hours after the last dose has been injected. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about the medication prescribed for you and the use of alcohol. ROCEPHIN may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. If you are a diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape to test for sugar in your urine. Do not use Clinitest tablets because this drug may cause false positive results. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

ROCEPHIN OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include seizures.

ROCEPHIN NOTES:
Make sure needles, tubing and supplies are stored safely and disposed of properly.

MISSED ROCEPHIN DOSE:
If you should miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

ROCEPHIN STORAGE:
ROCEPHIN must be stored properly. Review storage instruction with your doctor or pharmacist. Store dry powder vials at room temperature away from sunlight. Check expiration time before using reconstituted solution.