What is cefuroxime?
Cefuroxime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Cefuroxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.
Cefuroxime may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about cefuroxime?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to similar antibiotics, such as Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, a history of intestinal problems, or if you are malnourished.
Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefuroxime will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefuroxime.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking cefuroxime?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
cefaclor (Raniclor);
cefadroxil (Duricef);
cefazolin (Ancef);
cefdinir (Omnicef);
cefditoren (Spectracef);
cefpodoxime (Vantin);
cefprozil (Cefzil);
ceftibuten (Cedax);
cephalexin (Keflex); or
cephradine (Velosef).
Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cefuroxime.
The oral suspension (liquid) form of cefuroxime may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefuroxime if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.
Cefuroxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.