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It is an antibiotic that belongs to the cephalosporin group. It is used to treat various infections caused by germs sensitive to the medicine.
Examples are sinusitis, otitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and infections of the skin and soft tissues.
Uses of Cefuroxime
It is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medicine is called a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.
It treats only bacterial infections. It does not work for viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu). The unnecessary use or excessive use of any antibiotic can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness.
Infections that treat:
- Pharyngitis.
- Otitis media.
- Sinusitis and bronchitis.
- Infections of the urinary tract.
- Gonorrhea.
- Lyme’s disease.
How does Cefuroxime work?
Cefuroxime belongs to a class of medications called cephalosporins. They are often used to treat similar conditions.
It works by interfering with the formation of the cell walls of bacteria. This causes the cell walls to break, resulting in their death.
Side effects
Cefuroxime can have side effects like all medicines, although not everybody gets them.
The frequency of side effects is classified as follows:
- Very common: affects 1 of 1-10 patients.
- Frequent: affects 1 in 10 to 100 patients.
- Uncommon: affects 1 in 100-1,000 patients.
- Rare: affects 1 in 1,000-10,000 patients.
- Very rare: affects less than 1 in 10,000 patients.
- Strange incident: the actual incidence can not be established from the available data.
Stop taking the medication and consult your doctor immediately:
If you experience difficulty breathing ( asthma, bronchospasm), tightness in the chest, swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips, or if urticaria or lumps appear on the skin.
If you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Sickness.
- Diarrhea.
- Severe stomach pains
- Bleeding from the rectum.
- Stools with mucus or pus.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Discoloration or itching on the skin.
- Headaches.
Common side effects
- Dizziness due to headache.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort includes diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
- Eosinophilia (increased number of certain types of leukocytes, which is determined in a blood test).
Uncommon side effects
- Thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets).
- Leukopenia (decrease in the number of white blood cells) is sometimes severe.
- Eruption.
Rare side effects
- Urticaria.
- Pseudomembranous colitis (bloody and mucous diarrhea).
Infrequent side effects
- Hemolytic anemia (decrease in the number of red blood cells).
- Fever of the drug, serum sickness (late-onset allergic reaction).
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
- Serious skin rashes.
If any side effects are severe, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Interaction with other medications
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used other medicines, including herbal products or treatments obtained without a prescription. Inform your doctor if:
- You are using contraception, as an additional contraceptive method may be necessary.
- You are taking estrogen (female sex hormones) since concomitant administration with Cefuroxime can reduce its effects.
This medication should not be administered with bacteriostatic antibiotics (Chloramphenicol, Tetracyclines, Sulfonamides).
Caution should be exercised if Cefuroxime is taken together with potent diuretics (such as Furosemide and Etacrinic acid), which increase the risk of renal failure by cephalosporins.
When taken with certain medications that reduce stomach acid, the body may not absorb Cefuroxime properly. This means that it may not work well. Examples of these medications:
Antacids, such as:
- Calcium carbonate.
- Magnesium hydroxide.
- Aluminum hydroxide.
H2 antagonists, such as:
- Famotidine.
- Cimetidine
- Ranitidine.
Proton pump inhibitors, such as:
- Lansoprazol.
- Omeprazol.
- Pantoprazole.
Cefuroxime should be taken at least 1 hour before taking antacids or 2 hours later. H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors should be avoided during treatment with Cefuroxime.
What is the usual dose?
Adults and children over 12 years: 250 mg, orally, every 12 hours, either in tablet or the equivalent amount of suspension.
In some diseases, such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia, the dose can be increased up to 500 mg per dose orally, every 12 hours, as long as your doctor deems it necessary.
Children from 5 to 12 years old: 125 mg orally every 12 hours. In children with otitis media and in other cases where the doctor deems it necessary, the medication can be increased to 250 mg per dose orally, every 12 hours, either in tablet or in an equivalent amount of suspension.
Children from 3 months to 5 years: in general, 15 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into two doses. In children with otitis media and in other cases where the doctor may consider it necessary, the dose may be increased.
It is advisable to take the whole tablet without chewing or grinding, with a bit of water or other liquid, and after eating something.
There is no experience of use in children under three months.
Precautions
Before taking Cefuroxime, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g., Cephalexin), or if you have any other allergies.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially kidney disease, intestinal disease (colitis), liver disease, and poor nutrition.
This medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria or any other condition in which you should restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medication.
Cefuroxime may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive, use machinery, or perform activities that require alertness until you are sure you can achieve those activities healthily. Limit alcoholic beverages.
It can cause live bacterial vaccines (such as the typhoid vaccine) not to work as well.
Caution is advised when using this medication in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
It should be used only when necessary during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Warnings
Do not use Cefuroxime if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to it, to penicillins, to cephalosporins, or any of the other ingredients of the medicine prescribed for you.
If you think you may be allergic, consult your doctor. Allergy symptoms may include:
- Asthma attacks with difficulty breathing, audible wheezing, or rapid breathing.
- More or less sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or another body part. It is especially critical if it affects the vocal cords.
- Urticaria, itching, rash.
- Anaphylactic shock (loss of consciousness, pallor, sweating, etc.)
Take special care with Cefuroxime if an allergic reaction occurs after taking the medication. In this case, stop the treatment and consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Do not take Cefuroxime if you have kidney disease or liver disease; Your doctor can change the dose you should take.
The use of antibiotics such as Cefuroxime can lead to another type of infection. Prolonged use can also cause other infections (by microorganisms not sensitive to the drug), which may require discontinuation of treatment.
General considerations
Take this medicine at the time recommended by your doctor.
Cefuroxime can be taken with or without food. It must not be cut or crushed.
Dose omitted?
If you miss a dose or do not take the medication as scheduled, your prescription may not work well or stop working altogether. For this medication to work correctly, there needs to be a certain amount in your body.
If you forget to take your dose, do it as soon as you remember. But if you remember it a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one. Never try to catch up by taking two at a time. This could cause dangerous side effects.
Did you drink too much?
It could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose may include sudden and irregular movements of any limb or part of the body.
Call your doctor or the local poison control center if you think you have taken too much of this medication.
Take with food or drinks?
This medicine should be taken after eating some food. If desired, the oral suspension may be cooled if diluted with fruit juices or cold milk and accepted immediately. In no case should it be mixed with hot drinks?
Pregnancy and lactation
- Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Cefuroxime should be used with caution during pregnancy. Your doctor will evaluate the need to use this medication.
- This medicine passes into breast milk, and, therefore, caution should be exercised when administered to nursing mothers.
- If you become pregnant while using Cefuroxime, consult your doctor immediately.
Storage
- Store Cefuroxime tablets at a temperature between 59 ° F and 86 ° F (15 ° C and 30 ° C).
- Do not store this medication in damp areas, such as bathrooms.
Is going to travel?
- Always take your medication with you. When you fly, could you keep it in your handbag?
- Do not worry about the airport X-ray machines; they can not harm your medication.
- You may need to show the airport staff the Cefuroxime pharmacy label. Always carry the original box with the brand.
- Please do not put this medication in the glove compartment of your car or leave it in it. Be sure to avoid doing this when it is very hot or cold.
