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Why is this medication prescribed?
Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis and lung, skin, throat, and urinary tract infections. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Cefuroxime comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours (twice a day) for 7-10 days. 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.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
The tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with a full glass of water. If you are unable to swallow the tablets, they may be crushed and dissolved in one-third glass of apple juice or milk and swallowed immediately. Then drink more of the plain apple juice or milk. The tablets dissolve better when the apple juice or milk is at room temperature.
Continue to take cefuroxime even if you feel well. Do not stop taking cefuroxime without talking to your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking cefuroxime,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefuroxime or any other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cephalexin (Keflex), or cephradine (Velosef); penicillin; or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, diuretics ('water pills'), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, colitis, or stomach problems.
- 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 are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking cefuroxime.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Take cefuroxime liquid with food or milk. Cefuroxime tablets may be taken with or without food.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
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?
Although side effects from cefuroxime are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- mild skin rash
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- severe skin rash
- itching
- hives
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- wheezing
- diarrhea
- vaginal infection
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and throw away any unused medication after 10 days. Do not freeze. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison controlcenter at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsedor is not breathing, call local emergency services at911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to cefuroxime.
If you are diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine for sugar while taking this drug.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the cefuroxime, call your doctor.
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