Cefuroxime is an enteral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It was discovered by Glaxo, now GlaxoSmithKline, and first marketed in 1978 as Zinacef. It received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 1983.
Cefuroxime axetil is an acetoxyethyl-ester-prodrug of cefuroxime which is effective orally.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Medical uses
As with the other cephalosporins, it is susceptible to beta-lactamase, although as a second-generation variety, it is less so. Hence, it may have greater activity against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Lyme disease. Unlike most other second-generation cephalosporins, cefuroxime can cross the blood-brain barrier.
A systematic review found high quality evidence that injecting the eye with cefuroxime after cataract surgery will lower the chance of developing endophthalmitis after surgery.
Side effects
Cefuroxime is generally well-tolerated and its side effects are usually transient. If ingested after food, this antibiotic is both better absorbed and less likely to cause its most common side effects of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches/migraines, dizziness, and abdominal pain compared to most antibiotics in its class.
Although a widely stated cross-allergic risk of about 10% exists between cephalosporins and penicillin, recent assessments have shown no increased risk for a cross-allergic reaction for cefuroxime and several other second-generation or later cephalosporins.
Trade names
In US it is available as Zinacef by Covis Pharmaceuticals as the company acquired the US rights of the product from GSK. In Bangladesh it is available as Kilbac by Incepta and Xorimax by Sandoz. In India it is available as Ceftum in tablet form and Supacef in injection form by GSK. In Poland it is available as Zamur by Mepha, subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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