Cefuroxime
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• Antibiotic for pneumonia, meningitis, • 250mg/kg b.d. if oral
septicaemia, gonorrhoea and Lyme disease • 750mg every 6-8 hours if IV
• Cephalosporin bacteria—attaches to • Up to 1.5g if severe infection
penicillin binding proteins
• Capsules, syrup or powder
• POM
• Must be prescribed by doctor
SIDE EFFECTS: PHARMACODYNAMICS:
• Nausea • Affects cell wall membranes and inhibits
• Vaginal itching or discharge (thrush) reproduction
• Headaches • Active against gram +ve organisms
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Renal dysfunction
INTERACTIONS: FETAL/BREASTFEEDING RISK
• Contraceptive pill - less effective • Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Avoid in 1st trimester
GUIDELINES: • Small amounts in breastmilk but
appropriate to use
• BNF - patients with immediate and severe
hypersensitivity to penicillin should not • Can cause diarrhoea and fungal infections
receive cephalosporins - reaction in 2-3% in the newborn
of patients with penicillin allergy
BASICS: DOSAGE:
• Antibiotic for pneumonia, meningitis, • 250mg/kg b.d. if oral
septicaemia, gonorrhoea and Lyme disease • 750mg every 6-8 hours if IV
• Cephalosporin bacteria—attaches to • Up to 1.5g if severe infection
penicillin binding proteins
• Capsules, syrup or powder
• POM
• Must be prescribed by doctor
SIDE EFFECTS: PHARMACODYNAMICS:
• Nausea • Affects cell wall membranes and inhibits
• Vaginal itching or discharge (thrush) reproduction
• Headaches • Active against gram +ve organisms
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• Renal dysfunction
INTERACTIONS: FETAL/BREASTFEEDING RISK
• Contraceptive pill - less effective • Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Avoid in 1st trimester
GUIDELINES: • Small amounts in breastmilk but
appropriate to use
• BNF - patients with immediate and severe
hypersensitivity to penicillin should not • Can cause diarrhoea and fungal infections
receive cephalosporins - reaction in 2-3% in the newborn
of patients with penicillin allergy
