Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic resistant to beta-lactamase. It has been proposed for infections with gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, gonorrhea, and haemophilus.
Cefuroxime is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, skin infections, gonorrhea, and urinary tract infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.
Cefuroxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Cefuroxime is a β-lactam type antibiotic. More specifically, it is a second-generation cephalosporin. Cephalosporins work the same way as penicillins: they interfere with the peptidoglycan synthesis of the bacterial wall by inhibiting the final transpeptidation needed for the cross-links. This effect is bactericidal.
Cefuroxime is effective against the following organisms: Aerobic Gram-positive Microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes. Aerobic Gram-negative Microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains). Spirochetes: Borrelia burgdorferi. Cefuroxime axetil is the prodrug.
Cefuroxime, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefuroxime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor.
Metabolism: The axetil moiety is metabolized to acetaldehyde and acetic acid.
Absorption: Absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is greater when taken after food (absolute bioavailability increases from 37% to 52%).
Route of elimination: N/A
Half life: Approximately 80 minutes following intramuscular or intravenous injection.
Affected organisms: Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.Some medical conditions may interact with Cefuroxime.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Common side effects may include: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth or diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefuroxime.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
