Cefiderocol Injection

Cefiderocol injection is used to treat certain types of infections from bacteria including urinary tract infections and pneumonias. Cefiderocol injection is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics such as cefiderocol injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Taking or using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Cefiderocol injection comes as a powder to be added to fluid and injected intravenously (into a vein). It is given over a period of 3 hours every 8 hours for 7 to 14 days. The length of your treatment depends on your general health and how well you respond to the medication. 

You may receive cefiderocol injection in a hospital or you may administer the medication at home. If you will be receiving cefiderocol injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to use the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefiderocol injection. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, tell your doctor. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish cefiderocol injection, tell your doctor.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before receiving cefiderocol injection,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving cefiderocol injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had epilepsy or seizures or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving cefiderocol injection, call your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Cefiderocol injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• swelling, pain, or redness near the spot where the medication was injected
• genital itching
• white patches in mouth

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• seizures
• rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing ,wheezing, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
• severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)

Cefiderocol injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Your healthcare provider will tell you how to store your medication. Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand how to store your medication properly.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to cefiderocol injection.

Before having any laboratory tests, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving cefiderocol. Talk to your doctor about which glucose tests you can use during your treatment with while using this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the cefiderocol injection, call your doctor.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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