Cefuroxime

Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that has been widely available in the USA since 1977. It is also available under the brand name Ceftin. Glaxo Smith Kline sells the antibiotic in Australia under the name Zinnat, with the Australian pharmaceutical code of R 47621.

Indications

As for the cephalosporins, although as a second-generation it is less susceptible to Beta-lactamase and so may have greater activuty against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Lyme disease.

Side effects

Cefuroxime is generally well tolerated and side effects are usually transient. Cefuroxime if taken with food is both better absorbed and less likely to cause its commonest upsets of diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

As with the cephalosporins generally, there is a 10% cross-over sensitivity for those people with allergy to penicillins.

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