Cefazolin Dosage

Cefazolin (Ancef) is usually given as an IV infusion in a hospital by your healthcare team or at home by a visiting nurse. It can alternatively be given as an injection into one of your large muscles.

Your healthcare provider will make sure you get cefazolin (Ancef) at the correct dose and time. Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.

Adults: Your dose will depend on what type of infection you have and how severe it is.

• Mild infections: The typical dose is 250 mg to 500 mg given every 8 hours.
• Urinary tract infections: The typical dose is 1,000 mg given every 12 hours.
• Pneumococcal pneumonia: The typical dose is 500 mg given every 12 hours.
• Moderate-to-severe infections: The typical dose is 500 mg to 1,000 mg given every 6 to 8 hours.
• Severe, life-threatening infections (e.g., heart infections, bloodstream infections): The typical dose is 1,000 mg to 1,500 mg given every 6 hours.
• Prevention of infection from surgery: The typical dose is 1,000 mg given 30 minutes to 1 hour before the start of surgery. For certain procedures, your provider might continue giving cefazolin (Ancef) during surgery and even for up to a day after your procedure.

Children: The dose will depend on how much your child weighs and how severe your child's infection is.

• Most mild-to-moderate infections: The typical total daily dose is 25 mg to 50 mg per kg of body weight. This daily dose is usually split up into 3 or 4 equal doses throughout the day.
• Severe infections: The total daily dose can go up to 100 mg per kg of body weight. This daily dose is usually split up into 3 or 4 equal doses throughout the day.