Ceftin (Cefuroxime)

Ceftin is a prescription antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. In the UK, it may be prescribed on its own or as part of combination therapy, depending on the infection and clinical judgement. The active ingredient in this medicine is cefuroxime axetil. It may interact with other medicines and medical conditions, cause allergic reactions, and has a long list of possible side effects.

However, this antibiotic is used to treat many types of bacterial infection.

In this article, you'll learn what cefuroxime axetil is used for, where to buy Ceftin online, what forms it comes in, how to store it, what side effects cefuroxime can cause, and more.

What Is Cefuroxime and What Is It Used For?

Cefuroxime (Ceftin) is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It's used to treat both mild infections and severe, potentially life-threatening bacterial infections. Your doctor may also prescribe it for uses not listed in the prescribing information.

The conditions treated by Ceftin include:

• Acute bacterial otitis media;
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis;
• Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis;
• Impetigo;
• Uncomplicated gonorrhoea;
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections;
• Bacterial infections associated with acute bronchitis;
• Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis;
• Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections;
• Early Lyme disease.

All these conditions can be treated in adults and children with this medicine. However, there are no clear clinical trial data on its use in children younger than 3 months.

It's important to make sure the infection is caused by bacteria that are susceptible to this medicine. Otherwise, inappropriate use may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

What You Should Check Before Taking This Medicine

You should discuss this medicine with your doctor and tell them about your medical history and any medicines you take, including any you start or stop taking, as well as any immunisations and vaccinations. It's also essential to mention any allergies to penicillins, cefuroxime (as axetil or in another form), or other antibiotics.

Don't share this medicine with other people, even if they have similar symptoms.

Allergic Reaction to Similar Antibiotics

Do not use this medicine if you're allergic to:

• Cefdinir (Omnicef);
• Cefprozil (Cefzil);
• Cephalexin (Keflex);
• Cefaclor (Raniclor);
• Cefadroxil (Duricef);
• Cefazolin (Ancef);
• Cefditoren (Spectracef);
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin);
• Ceftibuten (Cedax);
• Cephradine (Velosef).

In the UK, it's a good idea to speak to a pharmacist if you're not sure about the names of medicines you've taken before.

Conditions to Discuss Before Taking Ceftin

To help make sure cefuroxime axetil is suitable for you, tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following, or symptoms that might suggest them:

• Penicillin allergy;
• Liver disease (your body may not process the medicine properly, which can lead to a build-up);
• Kidney disease (this may cause the medicine to build up in your body);
• Diabetes (the suspension contains about 3 g of sugar per teaspoon);
• Bowel problems (including colitis, even if it has resolved);
• Malnutrition;
• Anaemia (cefuroxime may rarely cause certain types of anaemia; if symptoms occur, contact your doctor straight away);
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) (the liquid form may contain phenylalanine);
• Any other bacterial infection (use of cefuroxime may allow other organisms to overgrow, causing thrush or other infections).

It's sensible to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you've had or allergies you've experienced, even if it only happened once. Tell them if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as these factors may affect your cefuroxime dose.

Do not take this medicine without a prescription to treat conditions such as the common cold or other non-bacterial infections. This may encourage resistant bacteria to develop, which could mean the medicine no longer works when you need it in the future.

Medicine Description

Cefuroxime comes in three forms:

• Cefuroxime 250 mg tablets;
• Cefuroxime 500 mg tablets;
• Cefuroxime powder for oral suspension.

Ceftin 500 mg and 250 mg Tablets

The 500 mg tablets are:

• White;
• Capsule-shaped;
• Film-coated;
• Engraved with "GXEG2" on one side.

As well as 500 mg of cefuroxime, they contain methylparaben, hydrogenated vegetable oil, titanium dioxide, and other ingredients.

The 250 mg tablets are:

• White;
• Capsule-shaped;
• Film-coated;
• Engraved with "GXES7" on one side.

As well as 250 mg of cefuroxime, they contain methylparaben, hydrogenated vegetable oil, titanium dioxide, and other ingredients.

Ceftin for Oral Suspension

The suspension comes as a dry, granulated powder that is white or pale yellow, with a tutti-frutti flavour. After mixing with water, each 5 mL contains 125 mg of cefuroxime, as well as sucrose, flavouring, xanthan gum, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, stearic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Preparation and Administration of Ceftin for Oral Suspension

Prepare the suspension by:

1. Shaking the bottle of powder to mix and loosen it;
2. Opening the bottle and adding water as directed in the instructions;
3. Closing the bottle;
4. Turning the bottle upside down, then rocking and shaking it until the water passes through the powder;
5. Turning the bottle upright and shaking diagonally until the mixture is uniform.

Shake the mixture every time before use and close the bottle tightly after each use. Store it in the refrigerator at 2-8°C (36-46°F). If it is not finished within 10 days, discard the mixture and prepare a new suspension when needed.

How to Take Ceftin Tablets

How you take Ceftin depends on the condition being treated. Please read the patient information leaflet before starting treatment and review the information below.

Cefuroxime Dosage for Tablets

Cr: FDA

The doses listed here are standard, but your doctor may adjust your treatment depending on your condition, weight, other illnesses, allergies, other medicines, and other factors. Never change your dose without speaking to your doctor. Do not start or stop using Ceftin without a prescription.

Finish the full course of treatment as advised, even if your symptoms start to improve. Completing the course helps clear the infection fully and reduces the risk of relapse and antibiotic resistance.

Try not to miss doses or take extra to make up for a missed one. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor for advice.

Adult Patients

Adult dosing is generally used for adolescents aged 12 years and over, as well as adults. Typical doses range from:

• 250 mg twice daily;
• to 500 mg twice daily.

The course usually lasts 7 to 10 days, but your doctor may change the duration depending on your specific case.

For best absorption, take the tablets with food. Do not crush the tablets; swallow them whole with a full glass of water. If possible, do not split, chew, or crush the tablets.

Pediatric Patients

Children are usually prescribed the oral suspension form of Ceftin (see below).

Ceftin Dosage for Oral Suspension

Cr: FDA

Pediatric Patients (3 Months to 12 Years)

Paediatric patients are children younger than 12 years. Dosing depends mainly on body weight:

• 10 mg/kg twice daily;
• 15 mg/kg twice daily.

The course also typically lasts 7 to 10 days, but the doctor may change it. The final dose depends on the condition being treated.

Oral syringes can be used to measure the dose more accurately. You can also use teaspoons, but a syringe is more reliable when precise dosing is needed.

Missing a Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one, as this may cause an overdose.

Ceftin Overdose

If you accidentally take too much Ceftin, call emergency services straight away. If you feel you may be having a seizure, ask someone nearby for help.

Overdose can be accompanied by seizures, convulsions, or blackouts.

Cefuroxime Side Effects

Cefuroxime can cause a range of side effects. Some need urgent medical attention, while others can be discussed at your next appointment. Common side effects of Ceftin include:

• Diarrhoea;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Nappy rash in infants;
• Change in taste.

Tell your doctor if you have any of these side effects. If they don't go away, your dose or treatment may need to be changed.

Also, keep in mind that the effects listed in the prescribing information are not a complete list. There may be other individual effects you should discuss with your doctor. If you experience any unusual problems linked to the use of Ceftin, you can also report them through the UK Yellow Card scheme run by the MHRA.

Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Side effects that need immediate medical help include:

• Allergic reactions such as difficulty breathing, swelling, or hives;
• Severe stomach pain;
• Watery or bloody diarrhoea;
• Severe skin rash;
• Easy bruising;
• Numbness;
• Severe tingling;
• Yellowing of the eyes and/or skin;
• Seizure;
• Signs of kidney problems (changes in urination, severe swelling in the feet, tiredness, shortness of breath);
• High fever;
• Burning in the eyes;
• Skin pain, blistering, or peeling.

If symptoms are severe, painful, or getting worse quickly, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Pregnancy or Breastfeeding Warnings

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. While there are no proven cases of harm to an unborn baby, your doctor may adjust the dose or timing of your treatment.

Cefuroxime passes into breast milk and may cause allergic or other reactions in a breastfed infant.

Keep in mind that cefuroxime may make hormonal birth control less effective. Talk to your doctor about whether you should use additional contraception.

Cefuroxime is not recommended for children younger than 3 months unless clearly needed.

What Will Affect Ceftin: Interactions

Interactions with cefuroxime are common, which is why you should tell your doctor about your diet, medicines, and medical conditions. More on that below.

Alcohol/Food Interactions

It's recommended to take Ceftin tablets with food. Bioavailability increases by almost 20% when a dose is taken with food. However, bacteriological response is similar whether the tablets are taken with or without food.

There is not enough information to say whether food improves absorption of the oral suspension.

As for cefuroxime axetil and alcohol, there are no strict warnings that alcohol disrupts absorption, excretion, or effectiveness. However, if you get side effects such as stomach upset or headache, alcohol may make them worse.

Disease Interactions

This medicine may interact with the following conditions:

• Colitis;
• Renal dysfunction;
• Liver disease;
• Seizure disorders;
• Ferricyanide tests.

Tell your doctor about any of these conditions before starting treatment. They may increase the risk of the medicine building up in your body and causing side effects.

Medicine Interactions

Cefuroxime interactions may include:

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics (amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, etc.);
• H2-receptor antagonists (famotidine, ranitidine, etc.);
• Antacids (aluminium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, etc.);
• Hormonal birth control;
• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG);
• Disulfiram;
• Sodium picosulfate.

It may also interact with the following vaccines:

• BCG vaccine;
• Cholera vaccine;
• Typhoid vaccine.

Review your prescriptions and tell your doctor if you take any of the medicines listed above before, during, or after a course of Ceftin. Depending on your situation, your doctor may adjust the dose or timing.

Keep in mind that an interaction does not always mean you must stop taking a medicine. The decision depends on your condition, severity, side effects, and other factors.

The medicines listed above are not the only ones that may interact with Ceftin. If you take any other medicines, make sure your doctor knows about them. If you notice any changes in your condition, contact your doctor promptly.

If you regularly drink alcohol or coffee or smoke cigarettes, mention this at your appointment.

Blood thinners, anti-diarrhoea medicines, and other drugs may also interact with antibiotics, so don't take them without medical advice.

Storage and Handling

Proper storage and handling are important for the medicine to work as intended. Here are some general recommendations for storing, handling, and disposing of Ceftin:

• Read the label and prescribing information carefully and follow all directions;
• Don't take more or less of the medicine than prescribed;
• To reduce stomach upset, do not crush or chew the tablets;
• Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose;
• Keep the suspension in the fridge at 2-8°C (36-46°F);
• Discard the suspension if it has not been used within 10 days;
• If switching dosage forms during treatment, ask your pharmacist about correct dosing;
• Don't stop treatment unless your healthcare provider tells you to;
• Don't use Ceftin to treat viral infections; see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment;
• If you're having urine tests, be aware that some results may be affected;
• Store tablets at room temperature in a cool, dry place;
• Keep the container tightly closed when not in use;
• Do not freeze the suspension;
• Keep all forms of Ceftin out of the reach of children and pets;
• Do not dispose of medicines by flushing them or pouring them down a drain unless you've been told to do so.

For disposal advice in the UK, ask your pharmacist or follow local guidance. If no take-back scheme is available, you can mix tablets or suspension with an undesirable substance (for example cat litter, dirt, or used coffee grounds), place the mixture in a sealed bag or container, and dispose of it in household rubbish.