Cefuroxime
Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic available in oral and injectable forms. Route and product are chosen for the infection and are not automatically interchangeable. Listed uses include acute bacterial sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, pneumonia and urinary tract infection.
Key points
- Cefuroxime is used for selected susceptible bacterial infections, not viral respiratory illness.
- Oral cefuroxime axetil and injectable cefuroxime have different administration and absorption considerations.
- Severe allergy or persistent watery or bloody diarrhoea needs urgent assessment.
Listings are for comparison only; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, prescription requirements, route and bacterial susceptibility.
Clinically meaningful forms
Oral cefuroxime axetil is converted to active cefuroxime after absorption. Injectable products are used in different clinical settings and should not be substituted without prescriber direction.
Important safety checks
Review serious penicillin or cephalosporin allergy, kidney function, previous antibiotic-associated colitis, pregnancy and anticoagulants.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for facial swelling, breathing difficulty, fainting, a blistering rash, severe or bloody diarrhoea, confusion or reduced urine.