Cefuroxime axetil
Cefuroxime axetil (Ceftin)
Cefuroxime axetil
(sef-your- OX-eem)
Pregnancy Category: B Ceftin (Rx)
Cefuroxime sodium
Cefuroxime sodium (Kefurox, Zinacef)
Cefuroxime sodium
(sef-your- OX-eem)
Pregnancy Category: B Kefurox Zinacef (Rx)

Classification: Cephalosporin, second-generation

See Also: See also Anti-Infectives and Cephalosporins .

Action/Kinetics: Cefuroxime axetil is used PO, whereas cefuroxime sodium is used either IM or IV. IM, IV: t 1/2, 80 min. Peak serum levels after 1.5 g IV: 100 mcg/mL. 66%-100% is excreted unchanged in the urine. t 1/2 will be prolonged in clients with renal failure.

Uses: PO (axetil). Pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis, uncomplicated UTIs, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, uncomplicated gonorrhea (urethral and endocervical) caused by non-penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Early Lyme disease due to Borrelia burgdorferi. The suspension is indicated for children from 3 months to 12 years to treat pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute bacterial otitis media, bacterial maxillary sinusitis, and impetigo.
IM, IV (sodium). Infections of the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract (including pneumonia), skin and skin structures, bones, and joints. Septicemia, meningitis, uncomplicated and disseminated gonococcal infections due to penicillinase- or non-penicillinase-producing strains of N. gonorrhoeae in men and women. Mixed infections in which several organisms have been identified. Prophylaxis of postoperative infections in surgical procedures such as vaginal hysterectomy.

Additional Side Effects: Decrease in H&H.

Additional Laboratory Test Interferences: False - reaction in the ferricyanide test for blood glucose.

How Supplied: Cefuroxime axetil: Powder for Reconstitution: 125 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL; Tablet: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg Cefuroxime sodium: Injection: 750 mg/50 mL, 1.5 g/50 mL; Powder for injection: 750 mg, 1.5 g, 7.5 g

Dosage
Cefuroxime Axetil ?Tablets (Cefuroxime Axetil) Pharyngitis, tonsillits.
Adults and children over 13 years: 250 mg q 12 hr for 10 days. Children: 125 mg q 12 hr for 10 days.
Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections.
Adults and children over 13 years: 250 or 500 mg q 12 hr for 10 days (5 days for secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis).
Uncomplicated UTIs.
Adults and children over 13 years: 125 or 250 mg q 12 hr for 7-10 days. Infants and children less than 12 years: 125 mg b.i.d.
Acute otitis media.
Children: 250 mg b.i.d. for 10 days.
Uncomplicated gonorrhea.
Adults and children over 13 years: 1,000 mg as a single dose.
Early Lyme disease.
500 mg/day for 20 days.
?Suspension Pharyngitis, tonsillitis.
Children, 3 months to 12 years: 20 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses, not to exceed 500 mg total dose/day, for 10 days.
Acute otitis media, impetigo.
Children, 3 months to 12 years: 30 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses, not to exceed 1,000 mg total dose/day, for 10 days.
Cefuroxime Sodium ?IM, IV Uncomplicated infections, including urinary tract, uncomplicated pneumonia, disseminated gonococcal, skin and skin structure.
Adults: 750 mg q 8 hr. Pediatric, over 3 months: 50-100 mg/kg/day in divided doses q 6-8 hr (not to exceed adult dose for severe infections).
Severe or complicated infections; bone and joint infections.
Adults: 1.5 g q 8 hr. Pediatric, over 3 months: b one and joint infections IV: 150 mg/kg/day in divided doses q 8 hr (not to exceed adult dose).
Life-threatening infections or those due to less susceptible organisms.
Adults: 1.5 g q 6 hr.
Bacterial meningitis.
Adults: Up to 3 g q 8 hr. Pediatric, over 3 months, initial, IV: 200-240 mg/kg/day in divided doses q 6-8 hr; then, after clinical improvement, 100 mg/kg/day.
Gonorrhea (uncomplicated).
1.5 g as a single IM dose given at two different sites together with 1 g PO probenecid.
Prophylaxis in surgery.
Adults, IV: 1.5 g 30-60 min before surgery; if procedure is of long duration, IM, IV: 0.75 g q 8 hr.
Open heart surgery, prophylaxis.
IV: 1.5 g when anesthesia is initiated; then, 1.5 g q 12 hr for a total of 6 g.

Note: Reduce the dose in impaired renal function as follows: C _CR over 20 mL/min: 0.75-1.5 g q 8 hr; C _CR, 10-20 mL/min: 0.75 g q 12 hr; C _CR, less than 10 mL/min: 0.75 g q 24 hr.