Cefuroxime

The label describes cefuroxime axetil tablets for infections due to susceptible bacteria. It should be used only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.

Some uses are limited by age, such as ear infection in children and several infections in those 13 and older.

• Pharyngitis and tonsillitis
• Acute otitis media in children
• Acute maxillary sinusitis
• Chronic bronchitis flare-ups, skin and urinary tract infections
• Uncomplicated gonorrhoea and early Lyme disease

The label we reviewed describes cefuroxime axetil only as an antibacterial drug. It does not give further detail on how it works.

This page covers the US label for cefuroxime tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults and, where the label says so, children.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

For adults and adolescents 13 and older, the label describes 250 mg every 12 hours for 10 days for throat and sinus infections. Bronchitis and skin infections use 250 or 500 mg every 12 hours.

Urinary tract infections use 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days, gonorrhoea 1,000 mg once, and early Lyme disease 500 mg every 12 hours for 20 days.

Children under 13 who can swallow tablets whole use 250 mg every 12 hours for 10 days. Tablets may be taken with or without food. Kidney impairment needs dose adjustment.

• Take with or without food
• Tablets and oral suspension are not interchangeable mg for mg
• Crushed tablets taste strongly bitter
• Dose adjustment for kidney impairment

The label says it must not be used with known hypersensitivity, such as anaphylaxis, to cefuroxime or other beta-lactams, including penicillins and cephalosporins.

Serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions are more likely with a history of beta-lactam allergy. C. difficile diarrhoea can occur, even more than 2 months later.

• Not with known beta-lactam allergy
• Anaphylaxis risk
• C. difficile diarrhoea
• Kidney impairment needs dose adjustment

• Antacids
• H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors
• Probenecid
• Urine glucose copper-reduction tests
• Drugs that reduce stomach acid may lower absorption.
• The label advises taking it at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after short-acting antacids, and avoiding H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
• Probenecid raises levels and is not recommended.
• It may cause false-positive urine glucose results with copper reduction tests.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

In the Drugs Rules schedules we checked, cefuroxime is listed under Schedule H (serial and rule: Schedule H, serial 99 (rules 65 and 97)). Schedule H medicines are sold only on a registered doctor's prescription.

Cefuroxime is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Oral liquid 125 mg/ 5 mL (p) (page 71); Injection 1500 mg (page 71).

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 6 product rows that mention cefuroxime. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 3 entries that mention cefuroxime. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

Jan Aushadhi lists cefuroxime products including Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets IP 250 mg 250 mg; Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets IP 500 mg 500 mg; Cefuroxime Axetil 500mg and Potassium Clavulanate 125mg Tablets IP 500mg; Cefuroxime Axetil Oral Suspension 125mg per 5ml 125mg per 5ml. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.