Trade names Zinacef, Ceftin Pregnancycategory B CAS ID 55268-75-2 | MedlinePlus a601206 Molar mass 424.386 g/mol | |
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Routes ofadministration intramuscular, intravenous, oral ATC code J01DC02 (WHO) S01AA27 (WHO) QJ51DC02 (WHO) Legal status In general: ℞ (Prescription only) | ||
Cefuroxime is an enteral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It was discovered by the Glaxo, now GlaxoSmithKline and first marketed in 1978 as Zinacef. It received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 1983.
Contents
Cefuroxime axetil is an acetoxyetyl-ester-prodrug of cefuroxime which is effective orally.
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.
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 Supacef by GSK. In Poland it is available as Zamur by Mepha, subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.