Cefuroxime
⚠️ About 1–6% of penicillin-sensitive patients will also be allergic to cephalosporins.
❌ Those with a history of immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin or other beta-lactams should not receive a cephalosporin.
⚠️ Cephalosporins should be used with caution in patients with any beta-lactam sensitivity.
📖 About
Always check the BNF link here.
- 💊 2nd Generation Cephalosporin (beta-lactam class).
- 🦠 Improved Gram-negative cover compared to 1st generation.
- ⬇️ Slightly reduced Gram-positive activity.
- ✅ Effective against Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
⚙️ Action
- 🔗 Inhibits peptidoglycan cross-linking → weakens bacterial cell wall.
- 🦠 Bactericidal effect via inhibition of cell wall synthesis.
💉 Indications
- 🏥 Septicaemia, meningitis, pneumonia, biliary sepsis, peritonitis.
- 👶 Epiglottitis, urinary tract infections, surgical and soft tissue infections.
- 📦 Mild–moderate infection: 250–500 mg PO BD.
- 💧 Severe infection: 750 mg–1.5 g IV/IM every 8 hours.
📊 Dose Range (check BNF or datasheet)
| Indication | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|
| Cefuroxime (mild–moderate infection) | 250–500 mg | BD | PO |
| Cefuroxime (moderate infection) | 750 mg | 8-hourly | IV/IM |
| Cefuroxime (severe infection) | 1.5 g | 8-hourly | IV/IM |
🔄 Interactions
- ⚠️ May increase effect of warfarin → monitor INR closely.
- 💊 Probenecid reduces renal excretion of cefuroxime.
⚠️ Cautions
- 🚫 Penicillin or cephalosporin allergy.
- 💧 Renal impairment → adjust dose.
- 🧪 False-positive urine glucose and Coombs’ test possible.
- 💉 IV formulations may contain high sodium/potassium.
⛔ Contraindications
- 🚫 Severe hypersensitivity reaction to cephalosporins.
- 🚫 Penicillin allergy (cross-reactivity risk).
- 🚫 Acute porphyria.
💥 Side Effects
- 🌡️ Rash, diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated colitis.
- 🤢 Nausea, vomiting, headache.
- ⚡ Severe hypersensitivity: urticaria, anaphylaxis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, TEN.
- 🧪 Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice.
- 🩸 Haematological: ↓ WCC, platelets, granulocytes, aplastic anaemia.
- 💧 Renal: interstitial nephritis.
- 🧠 CNS: delirium (rare).
