Cefuroxime

What is the most important information I should know about cefuroxime?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.

Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefuroxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking cefuroxime.

What is cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) 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.

Cefuroxime may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking cefuroxime?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• cefaclor (Ceclor);
• cefadroxil (Duricef);
• cefdinir (Omnicef);
• cefditoren (Spectracef);
• cefixime (Suprax);
• cefprozil (Cefzil);
• ceftazidime (Fortaz);
• cephalexin (Keflex); and others.

Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
• diabetes;
• congestive heart failure; or
• if you are malnourished.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

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).

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.

Cefuroxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take cefuroxime?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take cefuroxime tablets with or without meals.

Cefuroxime oral suspension (liquid) must be taken with food.

Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you switch from using the tablet form to using the oral suspension (liquid) form of cefuroxime, you may not need to use the same exact dosage in number of milligrams. The medication may not be as effective unless you use the exact form and strength your doctor has prescribed.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefuroxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking cefuroxime.

Store cefuroxime tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store cefuroxime oral suspension in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include seizure (black-out or convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking cefuroxime?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of cefuroxime?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
• jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
• headache, dizziness;
• fussiness or crying (in children);
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect cefuroxime?

Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• probenecid (Benemid); or
• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cefuroxime. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start taking a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefuroxime.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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