Cefuroxime Uses, Side Effects, and More

 Cefuroxime 

Brand name:- CEFOGEN, SUPACEF , FUROXIL 250 mg and 750mg /Vail inj.

Cefuroxime is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

Pharmacodynamic:- 

Cefuroxime is a β-lactam type antibiotic. More specifically, it is a second-generation cephalosporin. Cephalosporins work the same way as penicillins: they interfere with the peptidoglycan synthesis of the bacterial wall by inhibiting the final transpeptidation needed for the cross-links. This effect is bactericidal. Cefuroxime is effective against the following organisms: Aerobic Gram-positive Microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes. Aerobic Gram-negative Microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains). Spirochetes: Borrelia burgdorferi. Cefuroxime axetil is the prodrug.

Mechanism of action:-

Cefuroxime, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefuroxime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor.

 Used:- 

Cefuroxime is used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is used for the treatment of bacterial infections of urinary tract, skin and soft tissue, blood, and lungs (pneumonia). It is also used to prevent infections after surgery.

Side effects:- 

Vomiting, Nausea, Injection site reaction, Diarrhea.

Dose:-  0.75 - 1.5 g i.m. or i.v. 8 hourly , children 30- 100 mg/ kg / day .

For gonorrhoea 1.5 g divided at 2 sites i.m. inj + probenecid 1.0 g oral single dose. As directed by your doctor.