Drug interactions
Cefotaxime + Kanamycin
Severity: Moderate
Cefotaxime and Kanamycin: 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
Kanamycin can cause kidney injury and hearing or vestibular damage. Cephalosporins have been reported to add to renal injury when given with aminoglycosides, although cefotaxime is only weakly nephrotoxic.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefotaxime and Kanamycin 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.
Why it happens
Possible additive nephrotoxicity; aminoglycoside accumulation with renal impairment increases ototoxicity risk.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and aminoglycoside levels, and ensure hydration. Consider audiometry with prolonged therapy and adjust kanamycin dose to renal function.
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?
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Other interactions of Cefotaxime
- Cefotaxime + Typhoid vaccine live Major
- Amikacin + Cefotaxime Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Dexamethasone-tobramycin Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Gentamicin Moderate
- Cefotaxime + Microbiota Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefotaxime with Kanamycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefotaxime and Kanamycin 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. Kanamycin can cause kidney injury and hearing or vestibular damage. Cephalosporins have been reported to add to renal injury when given with aminoglycosides, although cefotaxime is only weakly nephrotoxic.
How serious is the interaction between Cefotaxime and Kanamycin?
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 aminoglycoside levels, and ensure hydration. Consider audiometry with prolonged therapy and adjust kanamycin dose to renal function.
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.
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