Manufacturer of Ceftin
GlaxoSmithKline
Also know under brand names: Ceftin
Active ingredient / generic name: cefuroxime
Approximate US Retail Price for Ceftin 500 mg (1 bottle, 20 ea): $308.62
250 mg (20 ea): $177.24
Short leafletCeftin is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that has been widely available in the USA since 1977. It is also available under the brand name Ceftin. Glaxo Smith Kline sells the antibiotic in Australia (and other countries, such as Cyprus, Israel and Poland) under the name Zinnat, with the Australian pharmaceutical code of R 47621. In the Philippines, a brand name Shincef has been used. In Poland it is also produced by the Polish firm Bioton S.A. under the name Biofuroksym. In Cyprus, the box of the 500mg tablets is white with a wide red stripe on the left and contains two blister cards of seven. The tablets are long white and are marked "GX EG2". The Cypriot license for this is 16847. The 250mg tablets come in a similar box with a blue stripe.
According to the package insert supplied with Zinnat, Ceftin is manufactured as tablets, as a powder to be mixed with water and ingested, as well as a sodium salt, the latter designed for medical injection. The Biofuroksym form of Ceftin is designed for injection by a person with medical training.
As for the other cephalosporins, although as a second-generation it is less susceptible to Beta-lactamase and so may have greater activity against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Lyme disease.
Ceftin is generally well tolerated and side effects are usually transient. Ceftin, if taken with food, is both better absorbed and less likely to cause its commonest upsets of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Although there is a widely quoted cross-allergy risk of 10% between cephalosporins and penicillin, recent assessments have shown no increased risk for cross-allergy for Ceftin and several other 2nd generation or later cephalosporins.
Ceftin: Patient Education
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to similar antibiotics,
such as Ceclor, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially
penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure,
cancer, a stomach or intestinal disorder, or if you are malnourished.
Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use
another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefuroxime will not treat a
viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for
glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking cefuroxime.
Cefuroxime is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It
works by fighting bacteria in your body.
Cefuroxime is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or
life-threatening forms.
Cefuroxime may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefuroxime, or to other
cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
cefaclor (Ceclor);
cefadroxil (Duricef);
cefdinir (Omnicef);
cefditoren (Spectracef);
cefixime (Suprax);
cefprozil (Cefzil);
ceftazidime (Fortaz);
cephalexin (Keflex); and others.
Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
diabetes;
congestive heart failure; or
if you are malnourished.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take this medication.
The oral suspension (liquid) form of cefuroxime may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your
doctor before using this form of cefuroxime if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Cefuroxime can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use
another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.
Cefuroxime can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
You may take cefuroxime tablets with or without meals.
Cefuroxime oral suspension (liquid) must be taken with food.
Shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the
correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you switch from using the tablet form to using the oral suspension (liquid) form of
cefuroxime, you may not need to use the same exact dosage in number of milligrams. The
medication may not be as effective unless you use the exact form and strength your doctor has
prescribed.
Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefuroxime will not treat a
viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain lab tests to check for
glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking cefuroxime.
Store cefuroxime tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store cefuroxime oral suspension in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze.
Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine. Overdose symptoms may include seizure (black-out or convulsions).
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you
have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop
the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash;
seizure (black-out or convulsions); or
jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
headache, dizziness;
fussiness or crying (in children);
sleep problems (insomnia); or
vaginal itching or discharge.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
probenecid (Benemid); or
a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor,
Moduretic), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid
(Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor,
Vasoretic, Zestoretic), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone
(Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and
others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with cefuroxime. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start taking a new medication without telling your doctor.
Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefuroxime.
Ceftin: Dosinginfections, mild-moderate bacterial: 250-500 mg PO bid x5-10 days: Info: dose, duration varies w/ infxn type, severity
renal dosing: no adjustment: HD/PD: give dose after dialysis, no supplement
Ceftin: Drug Interactions
Ceftin vs H2 blockers: use alternative: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH. H2 blockers: also know as cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine
Ceftin vs lansoprazole/naproxen: use alternative: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH
Ceftin vs proton pump inhibitors: use alternative: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH. Proton pump inhibitors: also know as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, lansoprazole/amoxicillin/clarithromycin, omeprazole, omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate, pantoprazole, rabeprazole
Ceftin vs typhoid vaccine, live oral: avoid combo; delay vaccine until >3 days after abx course complete or complete vaccine >3 days before 1st abx dose: combo may result in inadequate immunologic vaccine response and abx effect may inactivate vaccine
Ceftin vs aminoglycosides, parenteral: monitor renal fxn, use for therapeutic advantage: combo may incr. risk of nephrotoxicity, enhance efficacy and additive/synergistic effects. Aminoglycosides, parenteral: also know as amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, tobramycin
Ceftin vs antacids: give oral cefuroxime 1h before or 4h after GI alkalinizers: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH. Antacids: also know as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone
Ceftin vs calcium carbonate: give oral cefuroxime 1h before or 4h after GI alkalinizers: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH
Ceftin vs exenatide: give oral antibiotic >1h before exenatide: combo may decr. oral antibiotic levels, efficacy and absorption possibly delayed/reduced
Ceftin vs sodium bicarbonate: give oral cefuroxime 1h before or 4h after GI alkalinizers: combo may decr. oral cefuroxime levels, efficacy and absorption decreased at higher gastric pH
Ceftin vs probenecid: use for therapeutic advantage: probenecid may incr. cephalosporin levels, prolong duration of action and renal excretion decreased
Ceftin vs contraceptives, oral combo: caution advised: abx may decr. hormonal contraceptive efficacy; best evid. for tetracyclines, ampicillin and enterohepatic recirculation possibly altered. Contraceptives, oral combo: also know as desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol, ethinyl estradiol/ethynodiol, ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone, ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel, mestranol/norethindrone
Ceftin vs contraceptives, oral progestin: caution advised: abx may decr. hormonal contraceptive efficacy; best evid. for tetracyclines, ampicillin and enterohepatic recirculation possibly altered. Contraceptives, oral progestin: also know as norethindrone, norgestrel
Ceftin vs mycophenolate mofetil: caution advised: combo may decr. mycophenolate efficacy and enterohepatic recirculation decreased
Ceftin vs mycophenolic acid: caution advised: combo may decr. mycophenolic acid efficacy and enterohepatic recirculation decreased
Ceftin: Adverse Reactions
anaphylaxis
angioedema
toxic epidermal necrolysis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
interstitial nephritis
pseudomembranous colitis
pancytopenia
thrombocytopenia
agranulocytosis
leukopenia
neutropenia
anemia, hemolytic
seizures
diarrhea
nausea/vomiting
Jarish-Herxheimer reaction
vaginitis
diaper rash
elevated liver transaminases
renal impairment
anemia
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