Drug interactions
Cefotaxime + Gentamicin
Severity: Moderate
Cefotaxime and Gentamicin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Concurrent use of a cephalosporin with an aminoglycoside has been associated with additive kidney injury in some reports, particularly in patients with other risk factors. Aminoglycoside ototoxicity may also be a concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefotaxime and Gentamicin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cefotaxime belongs to Anti Bacterial; Gentamicin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxic potential, with aminoglycoside tubular toxicity possibly being aggravated by cephalosporins.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and gentamicin trough levels during combined therapy, and keep the aminoglycoside course as short as possible. Maintain hydration and avoid other nephrotoxins.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cefotaxime and Gentamicin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cefotaxime
- Cefotaxime + Typhoid vaccine live Major
- Amikacin + Cefotaxime Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Dexamethasone-tobramycin Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Kanamycin Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Microbiota Moderate
Other interactions of Gentamicin
- Cidofovir + Gentamicin Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Gentamicin Major
- Amikacin + Gentamicin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b + Gentamicin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefotaxime with Gentamicin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefotaxime and Gentamicin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Concurrent use of a cephalosporin with an aminoglycoside has been associated with additive kidney injury in some reports, particularly in patients with other risk factors. Aminoglycoside ototoxicity may also be a concern.
How serious is the interaction between Cefotaxime and Gentamicin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum creatinine and gentamicin trough levels during combined therapy, and keep the aminoglycoside course as short as possible. Maintain hydration and avoid other nephrotoxins.
What other medicines interact with Cefotaxime?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefotaxime with, for example, Typhoid vaccine live, Amikacin, Cholera vaccine. The full list is on the Cefotaxime page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
