Sign inBefore taking cefuroxime
Before taking cefuroxime make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you have kidney problems.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other antibiotics.
How to take cefuroxime
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Take cefuroxime exactly as you have been told by your doctor.
- Take each dose with or just after food, or a meal.
- Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.
- Space the doses evenly throughout the day. Keep taking this medicine until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop. This is to prevent the infection from coming back.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking cefuroxime.
- This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with this antibiotic.
Can cefuroxime cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If the diarrhoea is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours, see your doctor |
| Feeling or being sick, stomach ache | Eat little and often and stick to simple or bland foods |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor |
| Dizziness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs that could be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| Thrush, skin rash and itching | Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice |
- A severe skin rash.
- Jaundice, fever, and pain in your joints.
- Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or face.
- Severe diarrhoea.
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store cefuroxime
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store cefuroxime tablets in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
- Store cefuroxime oral liquid in a refrigerator and do not use it after the expiry date shown on the label.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Zinnat® Tablets, GlaxoSmithKline UK, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated November 2007.
- British National Formulary; 61st Edition (March 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)