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| Clinical data | |
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| Trade names | Zinacef, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a601206 |
| License data | |
| Routes of administration | Intramuscular,intravenous,by mouth |
| Drug class | Second-generationcephalosporin |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 37% on an empty stomach, up to 52% if taken after food |
| Eliminationhalf-life | 80 minutes |
| Excretion | Urine 66–100% unchanged |
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| CompTox Dashboard(EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.054.127 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C16H16N4O8S |
| Molar mass | 424.38 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
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Cefuroxime, sold under the brand nameZinacef among others, is a second-generationcephalosporin[2]antibiotic used to treat and prevent a number ofbacterial infections.[3] These includepneumonia,meningitis,otitis media,sepsis,urinary tract infections, andLyme disease.[4] It is used by mouth or byinjection into a vein ormuscle.[4]
Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions, and pain at the site of injection.[4] Serious side effects may includeClostridioides difficile infection,anaphylaxis, andStevens–Johnson syndrome.[4] Use inpregnancy andbreastfeeding is believed to be safe.[5] It is a second-generationcephalosporin and works by interfering with a bacteria's ability to make acell wall resulting in its death.[4]
Cefuroxime was patented in 1971 and approved for medical use in 1977.[6] It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] In 2023, it was the 279th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 700,000 prescriptions.[8][9]
Cefuroxime is active against many bacteria including susceptible strains ofStaphylococci andStreptococci, as well as a range of gram negative organisms.[10] As with the other cephalosporins, it is susceptible tobeta-lactamase, although as a second-generation variety, it is less so. Hence, it may have greater activity againstHaemophilus influenzae,Neisseria gonorrhoeae, andLyme disease. Unlike other second-generation cephalosporins, cefuroxime can cross theblood–brain barrier.[11]
A systematic review found high quality evidence that injecting the eye with cefuroxime after cataract surgery will lower the chance of developingendophthalmitis after surgery.[12]
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 ofdiarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches/migraines,dizziness, and abdominal pain.[13]
Although a widely stated cross-allergic risk of about 10% exists between cephalosporins andpenicillin, an assessment in 2006 have shown no increased risk for a cross-allergic reaction for cefuroxime and several other second-generation or later cephalosporins.[14]
Cefuroxime axetil is an acetoxyethylesterprodrug of cefuroxime which is effective when taken by mouth.[15] It is a second-generationcephalosporin.[16]
In the US it is marketed as Zinacef by Covis Pharmaceuticals since the company acquired the U.S. rights to the product fromGSK.[17] GSK had continued marketing a pediatric oral suspension as Ceftin; however, this presentation was discontinued as of 24 June 2017.[18]
In Bangladesh, it is available as Sefur by Opsonin Pharma, Kilbac by Incepta, Axim by Aristopharma, Rofurox by Radiant, Xorimax by Sandoz and Uroxime by EURO Pharma Ltd. In India, it is available as Ceftum and Cefuall by Allencia Biosciences in tablet form and Supacef in injection form by GSK.[19] In Poland, it is available as Zamur byMepha, subsidiary ofTeva Pharmaceutical Industries.[20] In Australia, the "first generic" form of Cefuroxime axetil, Pharmacor Cefuroxime (tablets) from Pharmacor Pty Ltd, was registered on 27 March 2017, by theTherapeutic Goods Administration.[21] Cefuroxime axetil is sold in tablet form in Turkey under the brand names Aksef [22] and Cefaks.[23] Cefuroxime axetil is also available (in two strengths) as granules for oral suspension from Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd under the brand name Zinnat cefuroxime.[24]
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