Drug Notes

Cefuroxime (By injection)

Cefuroxime (sef-ue-ROX-eem)

Treats or prevents infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Cefuroxime Novaplus, Zinacef

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• To store the medicine:
  • Liquid form: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Ask your doctor if you may keep the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  • Frozen form: Store the medicine in the freezer. After the medicine has thawed, keep it at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how cefuroxime works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Birth control pills
  • Blood thinner medicine, such as warfarin
  • Diuretics (water pills), such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide
  • Other antibiotic medicine, such as streptomycin or neomycin
  • Probenecid

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you had an allergic reaction to penicillin or any other drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of colitis or other digestive problems.
• This medicine may affect the results of some glucose tests. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about testing your glucose levels while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may cause severe diarrhea for 2 or more months after you stop taking it.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Seizures
• Severe diarrhea (watery or bloody) that may happen after you have stopped using this medicine
• Swelling, pain, or redness where your IV needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017