Indications
Cefuroxime is indicated in the treatment of:
- Upper respiratory tract infections: for example, ear, nose and throat infections such as otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
- Lower respiratory tract infections: for example, acute bronchitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia.
- Skin and soft tissue infections: such as furunculosis, pyoderma, and impetigo.
- Genito-urinary tract infections: such as pyelonephritis, urethritis, and cystitis.
- Gonorrhoea: acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, and cervicitis.
- Early Lyme disease & subsequent prevention of late Lyme disease.
Therapeutic Class
Second generation Cephalosporins
Pharmacology
Cefuroxime is a well-characterized and effective antibacterial agent, which has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against a wide range of common pathogens, including β-lactamase producing strains. Cefuroxime has good stability to bacterial β-lactamase and consequently, is active against many ampicillin-resistant and amoxycillin-resistant strains.
Dosage
PARENTERAL DOSAGE:
Adults: 750 mg to 1.5 g IM or IV every 8 hourly, usually 5 to 10 days. Preoperative prophylaxis: For clean contaminated or potentially contaminated surgical procedures, administer 1.5 g IV prior to surgery ( 1 / 2 to 1 hour before). Thereafter, give 750 mg IV or IM every 8 hours when the procedure is prolonged.
Infants and children (>3 months): 50 to 100 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses every 6 to 8 hours. Use 100 mg/kg/day (not to exceed the maximum adult dose) for more severe or serious infections.
Side Effects
Cefuroxime has been associated with nausea and vomiting in a small number of patients.
Pregnancy & Lactation
While all antibiotics should be avoided in the first trimester if possible, Cefuroxime has been safely used in later pregnancy to treat urinary and other infections. The placental transfer of Cefuroxime into the fetus was studied in 20 women and therapeutically active concentrations were found in the serum of infants for up to 6 hours after delivery. Cefuroxime is excreted in human milk, and consequently caution should be exercised when Cefuroxime is administered to a nursing mother.
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