Zefur/Zefur IV/IM

Zefur: Cefuroxime axetil.
Zefur IV/IM: Cefuroxime sodium.

Zefur: Each film coated tablet contains: Cefuroxime (as axetil) equivalent to Cefuroxime 500 mg.

Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics: Cefuroxime axetil is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is rapidly hydrolysed in the intestinal mucosa and blood to cefuroxime; absorption is enhanced in the presence of food. Peak plasma concentrations are reported about 2 to 3 hours after an oral dose. The sodium salt is given by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Peak plasma concentrations of about 27 ug per mL have been achieved 45 minutes after an intramuscular dose of 750 mg with measurable amounts present 8 hours after a dose. Up to 50% of cefuroxime in the circulation is bound to plasma proteins. The plasma half-life is about 70 minutes and is prolonged in patients with renal impairment and in neonates.
Microbiology: Antimicrobial actions: Cefuroxime is bactericidal and has a similar spectrum of antimicrobial action and pattern of resistance to those of cefamandole. It is more resistant to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases than cefamandole, and therefore may be more active against beta-lactamase producing strains, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhea. However, treatment failures have occurred in patients with H. influenzae meningitis given cefuroxime and might be associated with a relatively high minimum bactericidal concentration when compared with the minimum inhibitory concentration or with a significant inoculum effect. Reduced affinity of penicillin-binding proteins for cefuroxime has also been reported to be responsible for resistance in a beta-lactamase-negative strain of H. influenzae.

Used in the treatment of susceptible infections. These have included bone and joint infections, bronchitis, gonorrhea, meningitis (although treatment failures have been reported in H. influenzae meningitis), otitis media, peritonitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, skin infections (including soft tissue infections), and urinary tract infections. It is also used for surgical infection prophylaxis.

Zefur: Usual oral dose for adults: 250 mg to 500 mg twice daily for respiratory tract infections. Or as prescribed by the physician.

Cefuroxime should not be given to patients who are hypersensitive to it or to other cephalosporins. About 10% of penicillin-sensitive patients may also be allergic to cephalosporins although the true incidence is uncertain; great care should be taken if cefalotin is to be given to such patients. Care is also necessary in patients with a history of allergy.

The most common are hypersensitivity reactions, including skin rashes, urticaria, eosinophilia, fever, reactions resembling serum sickness, and anaphylaxis. There may be a positive response to the Coombs' test although haemolytic anaemia rarely occurs. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia have occasionally been reported. Agranulocytosis has been associated rarely with some cephalosporins. Bleeding complications related to hypothrombinemia and/or platelet dysfunction have occurred especially with cephalosporins and cephamycins having a n-methylthiotetriazine side chain, including cefamandole, cefbuperazone, cefmenoxime, cefmetazole, cefonicid, cefoperazone, ceforanide, cefotetan, cefpiramide, and latamoxef. The presence of a methylthiadiazolethiol side-chain, as in cefazolin, or a n-methylthiotetriazine ring, as ceftriaxone, might also be associated with such bleeding disorders.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.

Cephalosporins

J01DC02 - cefuroxime ; Belongs to the class of second-generation cephalosporins. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.

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