by Dr. Manura Nanayakkara

Created on: October 28, 2010

Cefuroxime is a common antibiotic medication prescribed by doctors for various infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections and other nonspecific infections. In addition intravenous form of this antibiotic is prescribed for serious infections. Oral form of this drug is called cefuroxime axetil.

What are the common side effects?

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are the commonest side effects. Gastritis, swollen tongue, and loss of appetite, bleeding from the gut, indigestion, mouth ulcers, thirst, and stomach cramps can occur rarely with Cefuroxime.

In addition Cefuroxime changes the composition of intestinal normal bacterial flora (mixture of friendly and not so friendly bacteria which are important in disease prevention and proper immune function). This can result in various gastro intestinal disorders.

What are the uncommon side effects?

Headache, dizziness, sleepiness, myoclonic jerks (type of seizure), and generalized hyperexitability, have been reported with Cefuroxime. Although these side effects are rare, they can occur more commonly with coexisting renal impairment.

Kidney pain, urethral pain, difficulty in urination, vaginal candidiasis (fungal infection in vagina) and excessive vaginal discharge have been reported rarely with Cefuroxime therapy.

What are the dangerous side effects?

Allergic reactions have been reported with less than 1% of patients. These include rashes, itching, redness, and hives. More severe reactions include Steven Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and anaphylactic reaction.

If you are having severe breathing difficulty, severe itching and lots of hives, skin peeling off from your body and faintish ness following Cefuroxime therapy, then drug must be stopped and you must seek emergency medical attention.

Pseudo membranous colitis or antibiotic associated colitis (caused by clostridium defficile) can occur with this drug. It is characterized by bloody foul smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramps. If you get these symptoms, you must seek medical help.

In addition, acute renal failure has been reported very rarely with patients receiving Cefuroxime. Features are reduced urine output, edema and high blood pressure.

What are the Side effects in children?

Cefuroxime is not recommended for children under three months of age. Diaper rash has been reported nearly 3.4% of pediatric patients receiving Cefuroxime as suspension.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Reproductive animal studies have not revealed any harm to the fetus. But data with humans are lacking. So it should be used only for clear indications. Cefuroxime is distributed in breast milk, so it is given cautiously.

Summary

Cefuroxime is a common and safe antibiotic prescribed by doctors for various troublesome infections. It has low side effects profile. Main problem with this drug is allergic reactions and nausea.

Sources

BNF

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