What is cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cefuroxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Important Information

You should not use cefuroxime if you are allergic to cefuroxime or to similar antibiotics, such as cefdinir, cefprozil, cephalexin, and others.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure cefuroxime is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

an allergy to penicillin;
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis;
diabetes; or
if you are malnourished.

This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Cefuroxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Cefuroxime is not approved for use by anyone younger than 3 months old.

How should I take cefuroxime?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take cefuroxime in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take cefuroxime tablets with or without meals. Do not crush the tablet or it could have an unpleasant bitter taste.

Shake the liquid well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you switch from using the tablet form to using the liquid form of cefuroxime, you may not need to use the same exact dosage in number of milligrams. This medicine may not be as effective unless you use the exact form and strength your doctor has prescribed.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Cefuroxime will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefuroxime.

Store cefuroxime tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.