Zinacef Indications/Uses

Tablet: Cefuroxime axetil (Zinacef) is an oral prodrug of the bactericidal cephalosporin antibiotic cefuroxime, which is resistant to most β (beta)-lactamases and is active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
It is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Susceptibility to Cefuroxime axetil (Zinacef) will vary with geography and time and local susceptibility data should be consulted where available (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Indications include: 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, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; genito-urinary tract infections for example, pyelonephritis, cystitis and urethritis; skin and soft tissue infections for example, furunculosis, pyoderma and impetigo; gonorrhoea, acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, and cervicitis; treatment of early Lyme disease and subsequent prevention of late Lyme disease.
Cefuroxime is also available as the sodium salt (Zinacef) for parenteral administration. This permits the use of sequential therapy with the same antibiotic, when a change from parenteral to oral therapy is clinically indicated.
Where appropriate Cefuroxime axetil (Zinacef) is effective when used following initial parenteral cefuroxime sodium (Zinacef) in the treatment of pneumonia and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
Injection: Cefuroxime (as sodium) (Zinacef) is a bactericidal cephalosporin antibiotic which is resistant to most beta-lactamases and is active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
It is indicated for the treatment of infections before the infecting organism has been identified or when caused by sensitive bacteria. Susceptibility to Cefuroxime (as sodium) (Zinacef) will vary with geography and time and local susceptibility data should be consulted where available (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Indications include: respiratory tract infections for example, acute and chronic bronchitis, infected bronchiectasis, bacterial pneumonia, lung abscess and post-operative chest infections; ear, nose and throat infections for example, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and otitis media; urinary tract infections for example, acute and chronic pyelonephritis, cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria; soft-tissue infections for example, cellulitis, erysipelas and wound infections; bone and joint infections for example, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis; obstetric and gynaecological infections, pelvic inflammatory diseases; gonorrhoea particularly when penicillin is unsuitable; other infections including septicaemia, meningitis and peritonitis; prophylaxis against infection in abdominal, pelvic, orthopaedic, cardiac, pulmonary, oesophageal and vascular surgery where there is increased risk from infection.
Usually Cefuroxime (as sodium) (Zinacef) will be effective alone, but when appropriate it may be used in combination with an aminoglycoside antibiotic, or in conjunction with metronidazole (orally or by suppository or injection), especially for prophylaxis in colonic or gynaecological surgery.
Where appropriate Cefuroxime (as sodium) (Zinacef) is effective when used prior to oral therapy with Cefuroxime (as axetil) (Zinnat) in the treatment of pneumonia and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.