Cefuroxime 500mg Tablets

Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It exerts its bactericidal action by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It binds to penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, which prevents the cross-linking of peptidoglycan chains, leading to the disruption of the cell wall and ultimately bacterial cell lysis and death.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Attention Immediately

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help right away:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Urination problems, such as:
+ Inability to pass urine
+ Changes in urine output
Dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes
Fever, chills, or sore throat
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Feeling extremely tired or weak
Seizures
Vaginal itching or discharge
Hearing loss
Diarrhea, especially if it is severe, watery, or bloody (see below for more information on diarrhea)

Important Information About Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics. However, in rare cases, a severe form of diarrhea called Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) may occur. CDAD can happen during or several months after taking antibiotics and may lead to a life-threatening bowel problem. If you experience stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools, contact your doctor immediately. Before treating diarrhea, consult with your doctor.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug may cause side effects. Many people experience no side effects or only mild ones. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical help:

Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Bad taste in your mouth

Reporting Side Effects

This is not a comprehensive list of all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before taking this medication, it is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this drug, its components, or other substances, such as foods or medications. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
If you are currently taking probenecid.
* If you are taking any of the following medications: cimetidine, dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, famotidine, lansoprazole, nizatidine, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, or ranitidine.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions with this medication. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to disclose all of your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as well as any health problems you may have, to your doctor and pharmacist. This will enable them to verify that it is safe for you to take this medication in conjunction with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

This drug has been associated with rare but severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. If you are taking this medication long-term, your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your condition.

Additionally, this medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests. Be sure to notify all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this drug. If you have diabetes and regularly test your urine for glucose, consult with your doctor to determine the most suitable testing method for you.

Do not take this medication for longer than prescribed, as this may increase the risk of a secondary infection.

If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), discuss this with your doctor, as some formulations of this medication may contain phenylalanine.

Women taking birth control pills or other hormone-based contraceptives should be aware that this medication may reduce their effectiveness. To prevent pregnancy, consider using an additional form of birth control, such as a condom, while taking this drug.

If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.

If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult with your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.

• Oral Contraceptives (estrogen/progestin combinations): May reduce efficacy of oral contraceptives. Advise use of alternative or additional birth control methods.
• Probenecid: Increases cefuroxime plasma concentrations and prolongs its half-life by decreasing renal tubular secretion. Co-administration is generally not recommended unless specifically desired (e.g., for gonorrhea).

• Antacids (containing aluminum or magnesium hydroxide): May decrease the bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil. Administer cefuroxime at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids.
• H2-receptor antagonists (e.g., ranitidine, cimetidine): May decrease the bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil. Administer cefuroxime at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after H2-receptor antagonists.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole): May decrease the bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil. Administer cefuroxime at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after PPIs.
• Warfarin: Although rare, some cephalosporins have been associated with prolongation of prothrombin time. Monitor INR/PT if co-administered.

• Typhoid Vaccine (live, oral): Antibiotics, including cefuroxime, may inactivate the live bacterial vaccine. Avoid administration of typhoid vaccine within 3 days of cefuroxime.

• Rash, itching, hives (signs of allergic reaction)
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing (anaphylaxis)
• Severe or watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever (Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea)
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine, pale stools (liver dysfunction)
• New or worsening signs of infection (superinfection)

Cefuroxime is classified as Pregnancy Category B. Studies in animals have not shown harm to the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy when clearly needed.

Cefuroxime is excreted in human milk in small quantities. The amount ingested by the infant is generally considered low and unlikely to cause significant adverse effects. Monitor breastfed infants for potential changes in bowel flora (e.g., diarrhea, candidiasis) or allergic reactions.

Cefuroxime tablets are not recommended for children who cannot swallow tablets whole. Oral suspension is available for younger children. Dosing is weight-based and indication-specific. Safety and efficacy have been established for various infections in pediatric patients aged 3 months to 12 years for suspension and ≥2 years for tablets (depending on ability to swallow).

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Dose adjustment may be necessary in elderly patients with impaired renal function, as cefuroxime is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Monitor renal function.

• Always advise patients to take cefuroxime tablets with food to enhance absorption and reduce GI upset.
• Emphasize the importance of completing the entire course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, to prevent resistance and relapse.
• Be aware of potential drug interactions with antacids, H2-blockers, and PPIs, which can reduce cefuroxime absorption. Advise spacing doses.
• Counsel female patients on the potential for reduced efficacy of oral contraceptives and recommend alternative birth control methods during treatment.
• Cefuroxime is a good option for respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and UTIs caused by susceptible organisms, including some beta-lactamase producing strains.
• Consider C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in patients presenting with diarrhea during or after cefuroxime therapy.

• Other second-generation cephalosporins (e.g., Cefaclor, Cefprozil)
• Third-generation cephalosporins (e.g., Cefdinir, Cefixime)
• Penicillins (e.g., Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanate)
• Macrolides (e.g., Azithromycin, Clarithromycin) for certain indications
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin) for specific indications and resistant organisms
• Tetracyclines (e.g., Doxycycline) for specific indications

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.