Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Cefuroxime belongs to a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. These work by stopping the growth of bacteria that cause infections.

This medication comes in oral tablet and suspension forms and is usually taken twice a day. The tablet may be taken with or without food, but the liquid suspension must be taken with food.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of cefuroxime include upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Cefuroxime can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how cefuroxime affects you.

Oral:

Oral cefuroxime is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as Lyme disease, gonorrhea, and infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and skin.

Injectable:

Injectable cefuroxime is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as Lyme disease, gonorrhea, septicemia, meningitis, and infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, bones and joints, and skin.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cefuroxime may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Ceftin

• Kefurox

• Zinacef

Serious side effects have been reported with cefuroxime. See the “Cefuroxime Precautions” section.

Common side effects of oral and injectable cefuroxime include the following:

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

This is not a complete list of cefuroxime side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Probenecid (Benemid, Probalan)
• Vitamins
• Anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Diuretics
• Other antibiotics
• Combined estrogen/progesterone contraceptives

This is not a complete list of cefuroxime drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Oral:

Serious side effects have been reported with cefuroxime including the following:

Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Rash
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Painful sores in the mouth or throat

Injectable:

Serious side effects have been reported with cefuroxime including the following:

Allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have some or all of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Rash
• Hives
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Wheezing
• Painful sores in the mouth or throat
• Vaginal itching and discharge

Cefuroxime can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how cefuroxime affects you.

Do not take cefuroxime if you:

• are allergic to cefuroxime or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to any other cephalosporin antibiotic

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of cefuroxime, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to cefuroxime or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had kidney disease
• have liver problems
• have gastrointestinal disease, especially colitis
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cefuroxime falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with cefuroxime. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Cefuroxime has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from cefuroxime, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Oral:

Take cefuroxime exactly as prescribed.

This medication comes in oral tablet and suspension forms and is usually taken twice a day. They tablet may be taken with or without food, but the liquid suspension must be taken with food.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of cefuroxime at the same time.

Injectable:

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) or a muscle (IM) by a healthcare professional. 

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• your weight
• your age

Oral:

For adolescents and adults, the recommended dose range of cefuroxime tablets for the treatment of most infections is 250 to 500 mg twice daily.

For children, the recommended dose of cefuroxime suspension for the treatment of most infections is 20 or 30 mg/kg/day in two doses. 

If you take too much cefuroxime, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If cefuroxime is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Oral:

• Store cefuroxime tablets and suspension at room temperature. The suspension may be stored in the refrigerator, if preferred.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Injectable:

• Store cefuroxime for intravenous injection in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.