The Basics
What is Cefazolin?
Used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria including skin, bone, joint, genital, blood, heart valve, respiratory tract (including pneumonia), biliary tract, and urinary tract infections.
Brand names for Cefazolin
Cefazolin
How Cefazolin is classified
Anti-Infective Agents, Antibacterial Agents, Cephalosporins
Cefazolin During Pregnancy
Cefazolin pregnancy category
Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Cefazolin while pregnant
Reproduction studies have been performed in rats, mice and rabbits at doses of 2000, 4000 and 240 mg/kg/day or 1 to 3 times the maximum recommended human dose on a body surface area basis. There was no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to cefazolin.
Taking Cefazolin While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Cefazolin?
Limited information indicates cefazolin produces low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally disruption of the infant’s gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cefazolin is acceptable in nursing mothers.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Limited information indicates cefazolin produces low levels in milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally disruption of the infant’s gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush have been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated. Cefazolin is acceptable in nursing mothers.
Possible effects of Cefazolin on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Cefazolin
(Methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus) Doxycycline, Linezolid, Minocycline, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Vancomycin.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Fukada M. Studies on chemotherapy during the perinatal period with special reference to such derivatives of cephalosporin C as cefazolin, cephaloridine and cephalothin. Jpn J Antibiot. 1973;26:197-214. PMID: 4542543
2. von Kobyletzki D, Reither K, Gellen J et al. Pharmakokinetische untersuchungen mit cefazolin in geburtshilfe und gynakologie. Infection. 1974;2 (Suppl 1):60-7.
3. Yoshioka H, Cho K, Takimoto M et al. Transfer of cefazolin into human milk. J Pediatr. 1979;94:151-2. PMID: 758399
4. Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Xu Z. [Tissue and body fluid distribution of antibacterial agents in pregnant and lactating women]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 1997;32:288-92. PMID: 9596854
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
