cefotaxime
Drug class
Active ingredient: cefotaxime
- Third-generation cephalosporinsATC code: J01DDSource: ATC
Allergy cross-reactivity
Class-level overall cross-reactivity (penicillin ↔ cephalosporin)
Risk level: Low
Basis: Class-wide (non-R1-matched pairs) — context group
Other active ingredients in the same group:
- amoxicillin
- ampicillin
- aztreonam
- benzylpenicillin
- cefadroxil
- cefalexin
- cefazolin
- cefepime
- cefixime
- ceftazidime
- ceftriaxone
- cefuroxime
- flucloxacillin
- piperacillin
Notes: Class-level overall cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is LOW in modern data (~1-2%). The R1 side chain is the true determinant. Consult a specialist.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459320/Oximino cephalosporins (similar aminothiazole-methoxyimino R1)
Risk level: Moderate
Basis: Similar/identical aminothiazole-methoxyimino R1 side chain
Other active ingredients in the same group:
- cefepimeSubgroup: core
- ceftazidimeSubgroup: related
- ceftriaxoneSubgroup: core
- cefuroximeSubgroup: related
Notes: Cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime and cefuroxime carry a similar (mostly identical) R1 side chain; ceftazidime differs slightly. The more cautious MODERATE tier is chosen for safety. Consult a specialist.
Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4509666/
Cross-reactivity risk is not definitive; consult an allergy/infectious disease specialist.
Breastfeeding
LactMed
Risk level: Compatible
Low levels in milk; compatible.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501366/e-lactancia
Risk level: Compatible
Low levels in milk; compatible.
Source: https://www.e-lactancia.org/breastfeeding/cefotaxime/product/
Breastfeeding safety requires individual assessment; consult a physician.
Data is in part from e-lactancia.org (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).