Description

Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin/soft tissue infections, Lyme disease, and gonorrhea. It works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Prescription

• This medication is prescription-only (Rx‑only).

Therapeutic Category

• Antibacterial for systemic use
• Class: Second-generation cephalosporin (ATC code J01DC02
  

Active Ingredients / Compositions

• Active ingredient: Cefuroxime axetil, delivering 250 mg of cefuroxime per coated tablet (equivalent to ~300.72 mg cefuroxime axetil)
  Excipients include sodium lauryl sulfate, copovidone, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, colloidal silica, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide

 Variant

• 250 mg oral coated tablets.
• Other dosage forms may include 125 mg or 500 mg tablets and oral suspensions

Consume Type

• Oral administration.
• Tablets should be swallowed whole and taken after food to improve absorption

 Directions / Usage

• Typical adult dosing: 250 mg twice daily for 5–10 days, depending on the infection type
• Examples:
  • Tonsillitis/sinusitis/cystitis: 250 mg twice daily
    Otitis media or bronchitis exacerbation: 500 mg twice daily
  • Lyme disease: 500 mg twice daily for 14 days (range 10–21 days)
• Pediatric dosing: weight-based in children under 40 kg, generally capped at equivalent adult doses 

 Common Side Effects

• Frequently: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, transient liver enzyme elevations, Candida overgrowth, eosinophilia
  Serious (rare): Clostridioides difficile infection, severe allergic reactions (e.g., Stevens–Johnson syndrome, anaphylaxis).

Package Type

• Coated tablets packaged in aluminum–aluminum (Al/Al) blister strips.
• Common pack sizes include 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20, 24, and even 500 tablets per pack.
  

Storage Advice

• Store in original packaging to protect from moisture.
• No special temperature control needed; typically stable at room temperature (~15–30 °C).
• Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct light and humidity (e.g., not in bathroom).
  

 Safety Advice

• Do not use if allergic to cefuroxime, other cephalosporins, or beta-lactams. Risk of serious hypersensitivity exists; immediate discontinuation and emergency care if severe reaction occurs.
• Use with caution in renal impairment; dosage adjustment or extended dosing interval may be needed. Cefuroxime is dialyzable.
• May cause dizziness—avoid driving or heavy machinery if affected .
• For patients on anticoagulants, monitor INR as cefuroxime may increase bleeding risk .
• Alcohol avoidance is generally prudent with antibiotics, though not explicitly contraindicated here .
  

 Product Substitute

• Other generic or branded cefuroxime 250 mg products, such as Succurit, Zinacef, Ceftin, Ceftum, Supacef, Skycef, etc., depending on region .

 Manufacturer / Marketer

• A typical generic: Sandoz Limited (UK) is responsible for licensed cefuroxime 250 mg tablets in several markets .
  Since “S‑Cenxime” wasn’t identified in public domains, its manufacturer is currently unknown—likely a generic/local brand.

Country of Origin

• Cefuroxime axetil developed by Glaxo (now GSK) and first introduced in 1987.
• Manufactured in various countries including the UK (Sandoz), India, and more. Many imported generics in Ghana are sourced from India