Cefuroxime Axetil IP 500 mg Tablet

• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, strange taste in the mouth, or stomach pain may occur. Diaper rash may occur in young children. Dizziness and drowsiness may occur less frequently, especially with higher doses. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual tiredness/weakness.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: yellowing of the eyes/skin, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, dark urine, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), signs of new infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bruising/bleeding, jerky movements, chest pain, mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur while receiving therapy or even weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new vaginal yeast infection (oral or vaginal fungal infection). Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer:To be taken only after consulting with the doctor.

PHARMACOLOGY

Cefuroxime is a B-lactam type antibiotic. More specifically, it is a second-generation cephalosporin. Cephalosporins work the same way as penicillins: they interfere with the peptidoglycan synthesis of the bacterial wall by inhibiting the final transpeptidation needed for the cross-links. This effect is bactericidal. Cefuroxime is effective against the following organisms: Aerobic Gram-positive Microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes. Aerobic Gram-negative Microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains). Spirochetes: Borrelia burgdorferi. Cefuroxime axetil is the prodrug.
Absorption: It is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is greater when taken after food (absolute bioavailability increases from 37% to 52%).
Protein Binding: 50% to serum protein.
Metabolism:The axetil moiety is metabolized to acetaldehyde and acetic acid.
Half Life:Its half life is Approximately 80 minutes following intramuscular or intravenous injection.

Mechanism of Action

Cefuroxime, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefuroxime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor.

Pharmacokinetics

INTERACTIONS

Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported when tablet is administrated concomitantly with carbamazepine salt and with warfarin and anticoagulantsdrugs, the prothrombin time is increased when this tablet is administrated concomitantly. Ofloxacin from chelates with alkaline earth and transition metal cations when administrated with antacids containing calcium, magnesium or aluminium, with sucralphate, with divalent or trivalent cations such as iron, or with multivitamins containing zinc. Elevated serum levels of cyclosporine have been reported with concomitant use of cyclosporine with some other quinolones.

Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g., cephalexin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, intestinal disease (colitis), liver disease, poor nutrition.

This medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition where you must restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medicine.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana.

Cefuroxime may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work as well. Do not have any immunizations/vaccinations while using this medication unless your doctor tells you to.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risk and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.