Cefuroxime (Injection, Intravenous)

Cefuroxime is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It kills bacteria or stops them from growing.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not get better in a few days or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will need to consider the risks of the medicine compared to the benefits it provides. Here are some important points to think about for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

This medicine has been tested in children and, at effective doses, has not caused different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in older adults and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it's very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Gestodene
• Levonorgestrel
• Mestranol
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods due to potential interactions. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may influence the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Colitis, history of or
• Gastrointestinal disease, history of— cefuroxime may worsen these conditions

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease or
• Poor nutritional status— these may be worsened by cefuroxime and you might need to take vitamin K

• Kidney problems, temporary or permanent— these may affect how much cefuroxime is in your body, and you may need a lower dose.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• chills
• cough
• fever
• painful or difficult urination
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach cramps
• abdominal or stomach tenderness or pain
• bloating
• bluish color or changes in skin color
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty in breathing or swallowing, wheezing, shortness of breath
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• hives or welts
• increased thirst
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• nausea or vomiting
• pain
• skin itching, rash, or redness
• sudden loss of consciousness
• swelling of face, throat, or tongue
• swelling of foot or leg
• tenderness
• unusual weight loss

Rare

• Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
• bloody or cloudy urine
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• hearing loss, mild to moderate
• joint or muscle pain
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
• red or irritated eyes
• redness, tenderness, itching, burning, or peeling of skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sore throat
• tightness in chest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Gas
• loss of appetite

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Zinacef

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 2nd Generation Cephalosporin

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For injection dosage form Adults and teenagers—750 mg to 3 grams every six to eight hours usually for 5 to 14 days, injected into a muscle or vein. Gonorrhea is treated with a single dose of 1.5 grams, injected into a muscle; the total 1.5-gram dose is divided into two doses and injected into muscles at two separate places on the body, and given along with a single, oral 1-gram dose of probenecid. Infants and children 1 month of age and older—12.5 to 150 mg per kg (5.68 to 68 mg per pound) of body weight every six to eight hours, injected into a muscle or vein. Newborns—30 to 100 mg per kg (13.6 to 45.5 mg per pound) of body weight every eight to twelve hours, injected into a vein.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Consult your health care professional about how to store this medicine.