Indication
Cefuroxime is indicated for the treatment of following infections: Upper and lower respiratory tract infections: Acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis & pharyngitis. Skin & soft tissue structure infections: Peritonitis, furunculosis, pyoderma, wound infections and impetigo, Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: Pyelonephritis and cystitis. CNS infection: Maxillary Sinusitis, meningitis. Other diseases: Gonorrhoea, urethritis, Septicaemia and Early Lyme disease. Cefuroxime is also suitable for the prophylaxis against infections in abdominal, pelvic, orthopedic, cardiac, pulmonary, esophageal & vascular surgery.
Dosage & Administration
Adolescents and adults: Pharyngitis/tonsillitis - 250 mg 12 hourly for 10 days. Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis - 250 mg 12 hourly for 10 days. Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis - 250-500 mg for 10 days. Secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis - 250-500 mg for 5-10 days. Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections - 250-500 mg for 10 days. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections - 125 or 250 mg for 7-10 days. Gonorrhoea - 1000 mg single dose. Early Lyme disease - 500 mg twice daily for 20 days. Children over 3 months: 125 mg twice daily, if necessary doubled in children over 2 years with acute otitis media. Prophylaxis: 1.5 g injection with induction of anesthesia followed by 750 mg IM at 8 hours & 16 hours or three times daily for a further 24-48 hours.
Precautions
As with other broad-spectrum antibiotics, prolonged administration of Cefuroxime may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms. If superinfection occurs during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken. Cefuroxime should be given with caution to patients receiving concurrent treatment with potent diuretics because these diuretics are suspected of adversely affecting renal function. Prothrombin time should be monitored in patients at risk and exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated. Use in lactation: As Cefuroxime is excreted in human milk, consideration should be given to discontinuing nursing temporarily during treatment with Cefuroxime. Use in pregnancy: While all antibiotics should be avoided in the first trimester if possible Cefuroxime has been safely used in later pregnancy to treat urinary and other infections.
