Cefuroxime

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 of 1983.

Cefuroxime axetil is an acetoxyetyl-ester-prodrug of cefuroxime which is effective orally.

Medical uses

As with the other cephalosporins, although as a second-generation variety, it is less susceptible to beta-lactamase. 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.