Description
Cefuroxime is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the lungs (e.g. pneumonia), ear, throat, nasal sinus, urinary tract, skin, soft tissues, bones, and joints. It is also used to prevent infections during surgery.
Cefuroxime should be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you to remember to take it. The dose will depend on what you are being treated for, but you should always complete a full course of this antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it until you have finished, even when you feel better. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive and the infection may come back. It will not work for viral infections such as flu or the common cold. Using any antibiotic when you do not need it can make it less effective for future infections.
The most common side effects of this medicine include rash, vomiting, increased liver enzymes, nausea, and diarrhea. These are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days.
Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics or have any kidney or liver problems. You should also let your doctor know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.
USES OF CEFUROXIME
Bacterial infections
Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, a kind of microorganisms that are made of only one cell. Bacteria live in all kinds of the environment including extreme hot and cold conditions. Millions of bacteria are present in the environment around us, on our body and inside it.
Bacteria are both harmful and useful to us. In fact, only a small number of bacteria are responsible for illnesses. Many are beneficial, such as those involved in immunity, digestion, and production of antibiotics and food products.
BENEFITS OF CEFUROXIME
In Bacterial infections
Cefuroxime is a versatile antibiotic medicine that kills the infection-causing bacteria in your body. This medicine is used to treat many different types of infections such as those of the lungs (pneumonia), ear, abdomen, urinary tract, bones, joints, skin and soft tissues. This medicine usually makes you feel better within a few days, but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.
SIDE EFFECTS OF CEFUROXIME
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.
Common side effects of Cefuroxime:
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Allergic reaction
- Increased liver enzymes
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
HOW TO USE CEFUROXIME
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cefuroxime is to be taken with food.
Avoid Cefuroxime with dietary sodium.
HOW CEFUROXIME WORKS
Cefuroxime is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
SAFE
Consuming alcohol with Cefuroxime does not cause any harmful side effects.
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cefuroxime is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Cefuroxime is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Avoid prolonged use of Cefuroxime since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.
Driving
Cefuroxime does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Cefuroxime in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Cefuroxime in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
