Cefuroxime is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the ears, nose, throat lungs or chest, skin, bladder, abdomen, and bones.
This medicine is also used to treat meningitis (inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and sexually transmitted disease known as gonorrhoea.
Cefuroxime is also used to prevent infections after surgery.
Cefuroxime injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein) or intramuscularly (into the muscle).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your infection.
You must complete the entire course of Cefuroxime. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Cefuroxime.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Cefuroxime or any similar antibiotics such as cefalexin, cefpodoxime, cefixime, or any other cephalosporin antibiotics.
Alert your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, ampicillin and cloxacillin. Penicillins are related to cephalosporins and if you are allergic to one, you may be allergic to the other too.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of bowel disease e.g. colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon or large intestine)
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizure)
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. tests for urine/blood glucose, Coomb’s test), inform your doctor that you are using Cefuroxime.
If you are being treated with Cefuroxime for sexually transmitted disease, you should follow your doctor's advice on ways to prevent passing the disease to others. You should also avoid sexual contact until the doctor certifies that you are cleared of the infection.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, blood-clotting time) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Monitoring of signs and symptoms of severe allergic reaction during first dose may also be needed.
Cefuroxime may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, injection site reaction and rash.
If you develop rashes, breathlessness, swollen mouth, or eyes, stop the medicine and inform your doctor quickly. These could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes with skin peeling or blisters/rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever or yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- probenecid (medicine for gout)
- birth control pills
- water pill or medicine for water retention e.g. furosemide
- blood-thinning medicines
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Cefuroxime.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store intact vials in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Store in the refrigerator, between 2-8°C once mixed with the solvent for 3 days.
If you notice that the injection has changed colour or has become cloudy, do not use it. Throw it away and use a new injection.
Protect from light.
Throw away unused solution.
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