Cephaloridine and Furosemide Injection: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Furosemide Injection
Cephaloridine
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
An increased risk of cephaloridine toxicity
Interaction Deep Dive
The concurrent administration of furosemide and cephaloridine has been shown to increase the plasma concentrations and half-life of cephaloridine, thereby increasing the risk of cephaloridine toxicity12. Nephrotoxicity, reversible encephalopathy, and acute renal failure have been reported during high-dose therapy with cephaloridine 34, and the concomitant use of furosemide may increase the risk of developing cephaloridine toxicity. Animal studies have revealed a higher incidence and greater extent of renal tubular necrosis in subjects that received both furosemide and cephaloridine 5.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Depression of the glomerular filtration rate and competition for tubular secretion
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) The concurrent administration of furosemide and cephaloridine resulted in a decrease in the renal clearance and a corresponding increase in the plasma concentrations of cephaloridine 1. Intravenous furosemide 20 mg was given to four healthy subjects concomitantly with intravenous cephaloridine 250 mg. Measurements of the renal clearance of cephaloridine showed that it decreased from an average of 213 mL/min in the control study to 136 mL/min when administered with furosemide. Cephaloridine plasma levels increased from an average of 4.4 mcg/mL in the control study to 8.5 mcg/mL when given with furosemide. Possible mechanisms for this drug interaction include competition for tubular secretion between furosemide and cephaloridine, in addition to depression of glomerular filtrate rate.
b) The effect of an 80 mg oral dose of furosemide on the serum half-life of cephaloridine was evaluated in 14 hospitalized patients. Doses of cephaloridine were either 1 gram or 0.5 grams intramuscularly three times daily, depending on the age of the patient. At no time did the peak serum concentration of cephaloridine exceed 61.5 mcg/mL, and the trough concentrations were always below 8.0 mcg/mL. The mean serum half-life of cephaloridine increased from 2.0 hours before furosemide to 2.5 hours during concurrent therapy with furosemide, an increase of 25%. Cephaloridine half-life again returned to prior values after the discontinuation of furosemide. Renal function was not affected in this study by the concomitant administration of cephaloridine and furosemide 2.
Common questions
Can I take Cephaloridine and Furosemide Injection together?
An increased risk of cephaloridine toxicity Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Cephaloridine and Furosemide Injection interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "established". Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Cephaloridine or Furosemide Injection need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (5)
- Tilstone WJ, Semple PF, Lawson DH, et al: Effects of furosemide on glomerular filtration rate and clearance of practolol, digoxin, cephaloridine, and gentamicin. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1977; 22:389-394. PubMed
- Norrby R, Stenqvist K, & Elgefors B: Interaction between cephaloridine and furosemide in man. Scand J Infect Dis 1976; 8:209-212. DOI
- Simpson IJ: Nephrotoxicity and acute renal failure associated with cephalothin and cephaloridine. NZ Med J 1971; 74:312-315.
- Gabriel R, Foord RD, & Joekes AM: Reversible encephalopathy and acute renal failure after cephaloridine. Br Med J 1970; 4(5730):283-284. PubMed
- Dodds MG & Foord RD: Enhancement by potent diuretics of renal tubular necrosis induced by cephaloridine. Br J Pharmacol 1970; 40:227-236. DOI
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