Comprehensive medication guide to Cefazolin including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Most insurance plans cover Cefazolin under the medical benefit with little to no out-of-pocket cost when administered in a hospital or infusion center.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Generic Cefazolin typically costs $5 to $30 per vial without insurance, with a full treatment course running $50 to $500 depending on duration.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Cefazolin (formerly branded as Ancef and Kefzol) is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection (IV or IM). It is one of the most commonly used antibiotics in hospitals, prescribed to treat a wide range of bacterial infections including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, bloodstream infections (septicemia), and endocarditis.
Cefazolin is also the go-to antibiotic for surgical prophylaxis — it is given before surgery to prevent wound infections in procedures ranging from orthopedic to cardiac to cesarean delivery. It is available only as a generic injectable; the brand names Ancef and Kefzol have been discontinued.
![Why Is Cefazolin So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2F63c5655bf8cd609b07f0cf5cbc78afb0eb3508d7-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
![How to Find a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Cefazolin Near You [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fvur4atr4%2Fproduction%2F219d26b21a4ccc419d95e4eab5e267492f61e24a-1024x1024.png%3Frect%3D0%2C256%2C1024%2C512%26w%3D400%26h%3D200%26auto%3Dformat&w=828&q=75)
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Cefazolin works by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) on bacterial cell walls and inhibiting the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a critical structural component. This disrupts bacterial cell wall formation, causing the bacteria to lyse (burst) and die. Cefazolin is effective against many gram-positive bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species) and some gram-negative bacteria. It is administered intravenously over about 30 minutes or by intramuscular injection.
500 mg powder for injection vial — powder
1 g powder for injection vial — powder
2 g powder for injection vial — powder
10 g bulk powder vial (pharmacy use) — powder
20 g bulk powder vial (pharmacy use) — powder
1 g/50 mL premixed frozen IV bag in dextrose
2 g/50 mL premixed frozen IV bag in dextrose
Cefazolin has a findability score of 55 out of 100, reflecting intermittent supply issues. This injectable antibiotic has experienced periodic shortages since 2010, with major disruptions in 2013, 2017, and 2019–2020 due to manufacturing problems and raw material supply issues. Multiple generic manufacturers — including Hikma, Sandoz, Sagent, WG Critical Care, and Baxter — help mitigate shortage impact, but hospital supply can still be inconsistent. If your facility is out of stock, check with alternative hospital pharmacies or outpatient infusion centers.
Because Cefazolin is an injectable antibiotic used primarily in clinical settings, it is most commonly prescribed by:
Cefazolin is not available via telehealth since it requires injection administration in a clinical setting or with home infusion training.
No. Cefazolin is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It is a prescription antibiotic with no abuse potential. No special prescribing restrictions apply beyond a standard prescription.
Serious side effects (seek medical attention):
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Cephalexin (Keflex)
an oral first-generation cephalosporin often used as step-down therapy after IV Cefazolin
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
a third-generation cephalosporin with a longer half-life, allowing once-daily IV dosing
Nafcillin
an anti-staphylococcal penicillin, used as an alternative for MSSA infections
Clindamycin
an alternative for patients with severe beta-lactam (penicillin/cephalosporin) allergies
Prefer Cefazolin? We can find it.
Probenecid
moderateincreases Cefazolin blood levels by reducing renal excretion; dose adjustment may be needed
Warfarin and other anticoagulants
moderateCefazolin may enhance the anticoagulant effect; INR should be monitored closely
Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, tobramycin)
moderateincreased risk of kidney damage (nephrotoxicity) when combined
Loop diuretics (furosemide)
moderatemay increase nephrotoxicity risk
Live vaccines (BCG, typhoid)
moderateantibiotics may reduce vaccine effectiveness
Cefazolin remains one of the most essential antibiotics in hospital medicine, particularly for surgical prophylaxis and treating serious gram-positive infections. While it is affordable as a generic — typically $5 to $30 per vial — its injectable-only formulation means it is primarily used in hospitals and infusion centers. Intermittent supply shortages have been a recurring challenge since 2010, so healthcare facilities should monitor the FDA shortage database and maintain relationships with multiple distributors. For patients receiving Cefazolin at home through outpatient parenteral therapy (OPAT), insurance typically covers the cost under the medical benefit. If Cefazolin is unavailable, Ceftriaxone or Cephalexin (for oral step-down) are common alternatives your doctor may consider.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini