Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime axetil as 500mg tablet and 125 or 250mg/ml syrup is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis (infection of the airway tubes leading to the lungs); gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease); Lyme disease (an infection that may develop after a person is bitten by a tick); and infections of the skin, ears, sinuses, throat, tonsils,, and urinary tract. 

Antibiotics such as cefuroxime will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

How should Cefuroxime be used?

Cefuroxime comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours for 5-10 days, depending on the condition being treated. To treat gonorrhea, cefuroxime is taken as a single dose, and to treat Lyme disease, cefuroxime is taken every 12 hours for 20 days. Take the suspension with food; the tablet may be taken with or without food . Take cefuroxime at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefuroxime exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Different cefuroxime products are absorbed by the body in different ways and cannot be substituted for one another. If you need to switch from one cefuroxime product to another, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

The tablets should be swallowed whole. Because the crushed tablet has a strong bitter taste, the tablet should not be crushed. Children who cannot swallow the tablet whole should take the liquid instead.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefuroxime. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Take cefuroxime until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefuroxime too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated, and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking cefuroxime,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefuroxime; other cephalosporin antibiotics such as cefaclor , cefadroxil , , cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir , cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime, , cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime , cefprozil , ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime ( Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefuroxime tablets or suspension. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), cimetidine, diuretics (‘water pills’), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Zegerid), pantoprazole(Protonix), probenecid (Probalan) and ranitidine (Zantac). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

if you are taking antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, take them at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after cefuroxime.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney or liver disease.

you should know that cefuroxime decreases the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives (‘birth control pills). You will need to use another form of birth control while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefuroxime, call your doctor.

if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability), you should know that cefuroxime suspension is sweetened with aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Cefuroxime may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

rash

itching

hives

difficulty breathing or swallowing

wheezing

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes

watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment

a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

Cefuroxime may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Symptoms of Cefuroxime overdose may include:

seizures

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to cefuroxime.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Cefixime

Cefixime as 400mg tablets or 100mg/5ml syrup is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. It is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis (infection of the airway tubes leading to the lungs); gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease); and infections of the ears, throat, tonsils, and urinary tract. 

Antibiotics such as cefixime will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

How should Cefixime be used?

Cefixime comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 12 or 24 hours . When used for the treatment of gonorrhea it may be given in a single dose. Take cefixime at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefixime exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

If you are taking the chewable tablets, chew these tablets completely before swallowing; do not swallow the chewable tablets whole. If you have trouble chewing you may crush them before swallowing.

Cefixime tablets come with a line down the middle of the tablet. If your doctor tells you to take half a tablet, break it carefully on the line. Take half the tablet as directed, and save the other half for your next dose.

Different cefixime products are absorbed by the body in different ways and cannot be substituted for one another. If you need to switch from one cefixime product to another, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefixime. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take cefixime even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefixime too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Other uses for this medicine

Cefixime is also sometimes used to treat sinus infections in penicillin allergic patients, pneumonia, shigella (an infection that causes severe diarrhea), salmonella (an infection that causes severe diarrhea), and typhoid fever (a serious infection that is common in developing countries). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

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

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking cefixime,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefixime; other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), or cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics, or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking, or plant to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), and carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epito, Equetro, Tegretol, Teril). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefixime, call your doctor.

if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability), you should know that cefixime chewable tablets are sweetened with aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

What should I do if I forget a dose of Cefixime ?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Cefixime may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

diarrhea

stomach pain

gas

heartburn

nausea

vomiting

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment

rash

itching

hives

difficulty breathing or swallowing

wheezing

swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes

a return of sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection

What information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to cefixime.

If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable..

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.