Indications:Used for treating neonatal meningitis and sepsis caused by susceptible gram negative organisms (E Coli, Klebsiella, H flu). Not the drug of choice if the infant has hyperbilirubinemia. It competes with bilirubin for binding sites on albumin. Use with caution in combined renal and hepatic failure.

Adverse Reaction:

Eosinophilia, thrombocytosis, leukopenia, increase in bleeding times

Increase BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, and bilirubin

Diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis, vomiting

Skin rash

Precipitation of bile salts in gallbladder has been documented in pediatric patients.

Recommended Dosage:

Sepsis: < value="1200" tcsc="0" unitname="g" w:st="on">1200g 50mg/kg/dose every 24 hours > value="2000" tcsc="0" unitname="g" w:st="on">2000g 0-7 days 50mg/kg/dose every 24 hours > 7 days 75mg/kg/dose every 24 hours

Gonococcal ophthalmia: 125 mg single dose IM (25-50 mg/kg for premature)

Preparation And Storage:

Reconstitute 1 gram vial with 9.6ml sterile water = 100mg/ml. Stable for 10 days refrigerated.

Further dilute 10ml (100mg/ml) with 15ml sterile water for injection to a final concentration of 40mg/ml. Stable 10 days refrigerated, 72 hours at room temperature.

Infuse on pump over 30 minutes.

For IM injection, reconstitute with 1% lidocaine without epinephrine to a concentration of 250mg/ml.

Nursing Implications:

Monitor CBC, serum electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, bilirubin.

Validity: Three Years