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Cefuroxime

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Description

Cefuroxime is an antibiotic medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, nose, throat, ears, skin, soft tissue and urinary tract. This medicine is used alone or in combination with other medicines for treating bacterial infections. It is not effective against infections caused by viruses. Cefuroxime kills bacteria thus treats the infection. Cefuroxime may cause some side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms are seen for a long time. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. The tablet, capsule and injectable forms of cefuroxime are not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age. Cefuroxime is available on prescription as a tablet, tablet DT, injection, powder for suspension and syrup. The syrup and suspension forms of cefuroxime are specific for use in children. The oral forms of cefuroxime should be taken with or without food. Cefuroxime injection will be given by your doctor in the hospital setting. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of treatment. Taking an antibiotic when it is not required can make it less effective for future infections. Cefuroxime effect may be reduced when it is taken along with medications that reduce or prevent the production of stomach acids like antacids, proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers, Therefore, take Cefuroxime at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking such medications. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, before using Cefuroxime.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Cefuroxime

Diarrhoea

Chills

Headache

Headache

Chest pain

Difficult or painful urination

Shortness of breath

Stomach pain

Acid or sour stomach

Uses of Cefuroxime

What is it prescribed for?

Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause swelling and soreness in the throat and tonsils. If it is the infection affects both the throat and the tonsils, then it would be called pharyngotonsillitis. Cefuroxime is used to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and/or pharyngotonsillitis.

Acute bacterial otitis media

Otitis media (AOM), is an infection of the middle ear (the area behind the eardrum), common in infants and young children. Cefuroxime is used to treat acute otitis media caused by bacteria.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the swelling of membranes that line your nose and surrounding sinuses. It is often caused by bacteria and sometimes, viruses and fungi. You may experience a stuffed nose and pain or pressure behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, or forehead. Cefuroxime is used to treat bacterial sinusitis and provides relief in three to eight weeks.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the swelling and irritation of bronchial tubes that regulates air passage in the lungs. Cefuroxime is used to treat bronchitis caused by bacteria. It is also used to treat a sudden worsening of chronic bronchitis (long-term inflammation of the bronchi) and subsequent episodes of bronchitis.

Urinary tract infection

An infection in any part of your urinary system (kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra) is called a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are the most common infections in humans and women are at greater risk of getting this infection. UTIs are caused by bacteria and in some cases, viruses or fungi. Cefuroxime is used to treat urinary tract infections caused by bacteria.

Lyme disease

Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. This infection is spread to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks that carries the bacteria. This condition can be treated in a few weeks by using antibiotics. Cefuroxime is used for the treatment of Lyme disease.

Skin and soft tissue infections

Skin and soft tissue infections occur when the bacteria invade the skin and its supporting structures. Cefuroxime is used to treat all skin infections including abscess caused by bacteria.

Impetigo

Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria that is more common in young children. It appears as red sores on the face, especially around your nose and mouth, and on hands and feet. Cefuroxime is used to treat impetigo.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea bacteria that infects both men and women. It spreads during vaginal, oral or anal sex without using a condom or other barrier method. Cefuroxime is used to treat the gonococcal infection.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The effect of Cefuroxime can be observed within 2 to 3 hours after taking it.

  • Duration of effect

    The effect of Cefuroxime lasts for an average duration of 8 hours.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Cefuroxime.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Cefuroxime is considered safe to use in pregnancy for treating bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects in the foetus. Hence it is acceptable for use on your doctor's recommendation.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Cefuroxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk in fewer amounts. Hence it should only be used if benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the baby. The infant should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.

Allergy

Avoid using Cefuroxime if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is any history of allergy to cefuroxime. If you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc. inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Cefuroxime is considered safe to use in pregnancy for treating bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects in the foetus. Hence it is acceptable for use on your doctor's recommendation.

Breast-feeding

Cefuroxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk in fewer amounts. Hence it should only be used if benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the baby. The infant should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and yeast infection.

General warnings

Diarrhoea

Cefuroxime can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Inform your doctor if you experience severe diarrhoea while receiving this medicine.

Antibiotic resistance

The entire course of treatment with Cefuroxime should be completed, even if the condition gets better to avoid antibiotic resistance (microorganisms develop the ability to defeat the antibiotics).

Use in children

Cefuroxime is not recommended for use in infants less than 3 months of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.

Driving or operating machinery

Cefuroxime may cause dizziness, confusion, or fits in some people. Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery after taking this medicine.

Antacids

If you are taking an antacid containing aluminium and magnesium salts for indigestion, they can delay the effects of Cefuroxime. Hence, it is recommended to take this medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking antacids.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Try not to skip a scheduled dose of cefuroxime. In case you forget to take the scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been delayed for more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose. Injectable forms: It is always important to take your cefuroxime injection at the scheduled time. If you missed taking the dose, inform your doctor, and get an appointment for further instructions.

Overdose

Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case you suspect an overdose of cefuroxime. Injectable form: Cefuroxime injection is administered in a hospital setting by your doctor, so the likelihood of an overdose is rare. Contact your doctor if an overdose with cefuroximeis suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Amikacin

Ethinyl Estradiol

Cholera Vaccine

Furosemide

Probenecid

Disease interactions

Colitis

Use Cefuroxime with extreme caution if you have any gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), as it may worsen your health condition. Cefuroxime can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and leads to diarrhoea.

Liver disease

Cefuroxime may increase liver enzyme levels. Hence, maintain caution while taking this medicine as it can increase the risk of liver damage.

Seizure disorders

Use Cefuroxime with caution if you have a seizure episode or fits because it may worsen the condition.

Kidney diseases

Cefuroxime is filtered by the kidney and excreted through urine. An impaired kidney can lead to its accumulation and toxicity. Hence, maintain caution while taking Cefuroxime as it can increase the risk of kidney damage.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Ferricyanide test

Cefuroxime may give false-negative results of blood glucose with the ferricyanide test. Inform the doctor if you are advised to have this test when you are undergoing treatment with this medicine.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Oral forms: Take Cefuroxime with or without food. Never take/give more than the prescribed dose. Use this medicine at around the same time daily. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Finish the entire course of treatment even if you feel better by taking few doses, as abrupt stopping may worsen your condition. Cefuroxime tablet DT dissolves quickly and easily in water. It can be dispersed in a teaspoonful or a glass of boiled and cooled water before administration. Do not administer if the tablet is not dissolved/dispersed completely in the water. Add water up to the mark to the cefuroxime dry syrup, shake the contents for uniform mixing. Ensure that medicine particles are dissolved properly. Measure an appropriate dose using the measuring spoon, cup or dropper. Injectable forms: Cefuroxime injection will be given to the vein in the hospital setting by your doctor. Hence do not self-administer. Inform your doctor if you notice any undesirable side effects. It is advised not to drive or drink alcohol as it may cause dizziness.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

Cefuroxime works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. This helps in stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism, eventually killing it.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Second generation cephalosporins, Antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - CEFUROXIME AXETIL FOR ORAL SUSPENSION- Cefuroxime Axetil Suspension. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 January 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=135e2dfc-eb47-4d04-a903-a081d36c267e>

Drugs, H., 2021. Cefuroxime: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 21 January 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601206.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Cefuroxime 250Mg Tablets - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 January 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/22534>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Cefuroxime. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cephuroxime>
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Information on this page was last updated on 1 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.