1. Upper respiratory tract infections, for example, ear, nose & throat infections such asotitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis & pharyngitis. 2. Lower respiratory tract infections: for example, acute bronchitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis & pneumonia. 3. Skin & soft tissue infections: such as furunculosis, pyoderma, & impetigo. 4. Genito-urinary tract infections: such as pyelonephritis, urethritis, & cystitis. 5. Gonorrhoea: acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, & cervicitis. 6. Early Lyme disease & subsequent prevention of late Lyme disease.
Second generation Cephalosporins
Cefuroxime is a well-characterized and effective antibacterial agent, which has broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against a wide range of common pathogens, including β-lactamase producing strains. Cefuroxime has good stability to bacterial β-lactamase and consequently, is active against many ampicillin-resistant and amoxycillin-resistant strains.
Adults : 250 mg b. i.d. upto 500 mg b. i. d. should be given. For urinary tract infections a dose of 125 mg b.i.d is usually adequate. A single dose of one gram is recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Children : The usual dose is 125 mg b. i. d., or 10 mg/kg b. i. d. to a maximum of 250 mg daily. The usual course of therapy is 7-10 days. Cefuroxime should be taken after food for optimum absorption. Parenteral Dosage : Adults : 750 mg to 1.5 g IM or IV every 8 hourly, usually 5 to 10 days. Infants & children (>3 months) : 50 to 100 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses every 6 to 8 hours.
No potentially hazardous interactions have been reported.
Known allergy to Cephalosporins. As with other antibiotics, prolonged use of Cefuroxime may result in the over growth of non-susceptible organisms (e.g. Candida, Enterococci, Clostridium difficile), which may require interruption of treatment. Pseudomonas colits has been reported with the use of broadspectrum antibiotics, therefore, it is important to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop serious diarrhoea during or after antibiotic use.
While all antibiotics should be avoided in the first trimester if possible. Cefuroxime has beensafely used in later pregnancy to treat urinary & other infections. Caution should be exercised when Cefuroxime is administered to a nursing mother.
Store in a cool, dry place (below 30o C), away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
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