Note: This document contains side effect information about cefprozil. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Cefzil.

Applies to cefprozil: oral powder for suspension, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Cefzil

Along with its needed effects, cefprozil (the active ingredient contained in Cefzil) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cefprozil:

Less common

• Black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• cough or hoarseness
• diarrhea
• fever or chills
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• shortness of breath
• sore throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• blood in the urine or stools
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of discomfort
• headache
• hives
• increased thirst
• inflammation of the joints
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches
• nausea or vomiting
• pain
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rash
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• shortness of breath
• swollen lymph glands
• tightness in the chest
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• watery or bloody diarrhea
• wheezing
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• bloody or cloudy urine
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• difficulty with breathing
• fever with or without chills
• general body swelling
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• high fever
• nosebleeds
• pale skin
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• swollen or painful glands

Other side effects of Cefzil

Some side effects of cefprozil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Itching or pain of the vagina or genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Rare

• Confusion
• hives or welts
• nervousness
• redness of the skin
• restlessness
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sleeplessness
• trouble sitting still
• trouble with sleeping
• unable to sleep

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cefprozil: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet.

General

Cefprozil (the active ingredient contained in Cefzil) is generally well-tolerated.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included rash (0.9%), urticaria (0.1%), anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, eosinophilia, erythema multiforme, fever, serum-sickness-like reactions, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.^[Ref]

Up to 20% of patients with penicillin allergy may demonstrate allergy to cefprozil.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (3.5%), diarrhea (2.9%), vomiting (1%), and abdominal pain (1%). Rare cases of Clostridium difficile colitis have been reported with some cephalosporins.^[Ref]

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported in patients treated with cephalosporin antibiotics. If diarrhea occurs and is unresponsive to discontinuation of the drug and/or standard therapy, pseudomembranous colitis should be considered.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included eosinophilia (2.3%), decreased leukocyte count (0.2%), and thrombocytopenia. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, prolonged prothrombin time, positive Coombs' test, pancytopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis.^[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included elevated serum creatinine (0.1%) and BUN (0.1%). Some other cephalosporins have included interstitial nephritis. (Reversible fever, azotemia, pyuria, and eosinophiluria are the hallmarks of cephalosporin-induced interstitial nephritis.) Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with toxic nephropathy and renal dysfunction.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included vaginitis and genital pruritus in 1.6% of patients.^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included increased AST (2%), ALT (2%), alkaline phosphatase (0.2%), and bilirubin (<0.1%). Some cephalosporins have been associated with rare cases of cholestatic jaundice. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with elevated LDH.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included dizziness in 1% of patients, and hyperactivity, headache, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, and somnolence in <1%. Some cephalosporins have been associated with seizures, primarily when dosages were not reduced in renally impaired patients.^[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included superinfection and diaper rash in 1.5% of patients.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included rash (0.9%), urticaria (0.1%), and erythema multiforme. Cefprozil (the active ingredient contained in Cefzil) has been associated with rash in a patients with infectious mononucleosis.^[Ref]