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- $Unique_ID{BRK03070}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{cefuroxime}
- $Subject{Ceftin Allen Hanburys Cephalosporin antibiotic cefuroxime axetil
- bacterial infections middle ear upper lower respiratory tract skin urinary
- injuring cell walls bacteria}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- cefuroxime
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Ceftin (Allen & Hanburys)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Cephalosporin antibiotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- cefuroxime axetil
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Cefuroxime tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed container.
-
- USES
-
- This medication is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
- including those of the middle ear, upper and lower respiratory tract, skin,
- and urinary tract. This drug acts by severely injuring the cell walls of the
- infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them from growing and multiplying.
- Cefuroxime kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against
- viruses, parasites, or fungi.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Cefuroxime can be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or milk
- (in order to avoid an upset stomach). The tablets may be crushed and mixed
- with food (such as applesauce or ice cream); however, a strong, persistent,
- bitter taste may be noted.
- Cephalosporin antibiotics work best when the level of medicine in your
- bloodstream is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at
- evenly spaced intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take two
- doses a day, the doses should be spaced 12 hours apart.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
- If you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for
- your next dose, take it; space the following dose halfway through the regular
- interval between doses; then return to your regular dosing schedule. Try not
- to skip any doses.
- It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
- prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
- disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking this drug too
- soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
- infection could recur.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, loss
- of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your
- body adjusts to the medication.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever, itching, joint pain, rash,
- rectal or vaginal itching, severe diarrhea, sore mouth, stomach cramps,
- tingling in the hands or feet, or unusual bleeding or bruising. Also, if your
- symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you
- should contact your doctor.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Cefuroxime interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of
- this medication.
- 2. The side effects, especially effects on the kidneys, of furosemide,
- bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, colistin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, and
- aminoglycoside antibiotics can be increased by cefuroxime.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had
- to any medication, especially to cefuroxime or other cephalosporin antibiotics
- (such as cefaclor, cefamandole, cephalexin, cephradine, cefadroxil, cefazolin,
- cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, cephalothin, cephapirin, and
- moxalactam) or to penicillin antibiotics.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
- disease.
- * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
- Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
- different medicine. You should not give your medication to other people or
- use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do
- so.
- * Diabetics taking cefuroxime should know that this drug can cause a
- false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid
- this problem while taking cefuroxime, you should switch to Clinistix or
- Tes-Tape to test your urine sugar content.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although the
- cephalosporin antibiotics appear to be safe during pregnancy, extensive
- studies in humans have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication pass into breast
- milk and may temporarily alter the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract
- of the nursing infant, resulting in diarrhea.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-