Details

Cefuroxime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Cefuroxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms. Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have kidney disease liver disease a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis diabetes or if you are malnourished. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cefuroxime. The oral suspension (liquid) form of cefuroxime may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefuroxime if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy.

Typical Uses

Cefuroxime is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is known as a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or overuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness. Take this medication by mouth usually twice daily, or as directed by your doctor. Take cefuroxime with food to increase absorption and reduce stomach upset. Continue to take cefuroxime until the full-prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping cefuroxime too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of cefuroxime include diarrhoea that is watery or bloody fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats unusual bleeding blood in your urine seizure (convulsions) pale or yellowed skin, dark coloured urine, fever, confusion or weakness jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual or not at all white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefuroxime or vaginal itching or discharge.

Drug Interactions

• Cefuroxime+amikacin- Amikacin can sometimes cause kidney damage and using it with a cephalosporin antibiotic like cefuroxime may increase that risk. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Cefuroxime+bumetanide- Cephalosporin antibiotics like cefuroxime can occasionally cause kidney problems, and using it with bumetanide may increase that risk. The interaction is more likely to occur when the cephalosporin is given at high doses by injection into the vein or when it is given to the elderly or individuals with pre-existing kidney function impairment.

• Cefuroxime+cimetidine- Using cefuroxime together with cimetidine is not recommended. By reducing stomach acid, cimetidine can decrease the absorption and blood levels of cefuroxime and make the medication less effective against infections. You may need to stop taking cimetidine while you are being treated with cefuroxime, or your doctor may want to prescribe a different antibiotic.

• Cefuroxime+disulfiram- Using cefuroxime together with disulfiram can cause unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if your condition worsens.

• Cefuroxime+entecavir- Using entecavir together with cefuroxime may increase the blood levels of one or both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent

Mechanism of action

Cefuroxime belongs to group of medicines called cephalosporin antibiotics. It kills the bacteria by interrupting the bacterial cell wall (outer coating of bacteria) formation. As a result, the bacterial cell wall is weakened and ruptured, thereby killing the bacteria.

Pregnancy Category : B