Cefoperazone is an antibiotic that is similar in structure to penicillin. It is often combined to form cefoperazone sodium. It is a broad-spectrum third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. Cefoperazone is either given intravenously or intramuscularly, which means it is infused through a vein or injected into a muscle, which makes it more fast-acting than traditional oral antibiotics. Depending on the country, cefoperazone has a number of different brand names.
Cefoperazone is typically used to treat serious bacterial infections, including those in the skin, bone, stomach, respiratory tract, sinuses, blood, and urinary tract. It is also commonly prescribed to treat some sexually transmitted diseases, as well as infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. Cefoperazone is usually taken at regular intervals to keep a high level of antibiotics in the body at all times to fight the infection.
This type of antibiotic is called antipseudomonal, which means it tends to destroy bacteria of the genus pseudomonas. Cefoperazone is one of the only antibiotics that is able to destroy pseudomanas bacteria, which can cause a wide range of infections, from external ear infections to serious infections affecting the heart valves, lungs, and blood. This type of bacteria is found in soil and water, tending to favor moist areas. It can also temporarily remain on the skin, ears, and intestines of healthy people, which is another way for bacteria to spread. Cefoperazone is not used to treat colds, flus, or other viral infections, because all antibiotics — including cefoperazone — work only to treat bacterial infections and destroy the related bacteria.
There are a few substances that interact poorly with this antibiotic, including but not limited to blood thinners, medicine designed to dissolve blood clots, alcohol, and some other injectable antibiotics. Alcohol should be avoided while taking this medication and for three days after, because it will cause a feeling of illness as well as interacting with the antibiotic. Cefoperazone can also interfere with some urine glucose tests. If the antibiotic was prescribed to treat a sexually transmitted disease, then sexual contact should be avoided for the duration of treatment.
As with most medications, a number of side effects are possible. Serious side effects include allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, fever, skin problems, unusual bruising or bleeding, and feeling unusually weak or tired. Less serious yet bothersome side effects include diarrhea, headache, nausea and vomiting, irritation at the injection site, and stomach ache.