stemic antibiotic therapy; a careful medical history should be taken.
Breast-feeding
Cefuroxime is excreted in human breast milk in small quantities; according to the manufacturer, caution should be exercised with use during breast-feeding. Rare potential complications in the nursing infant include alterations of gut flora that might result in diarrhea or related complications (e.g., dehydration). Because the risk of serious reactions is relatively rare, the use of many cephalosporins is considered compatible with breast feeding. Although the use of cefuroxime during breast-feeding has not been eva luated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), other cephalosporins, such as cefazolin, cefprozil, and cefadroxil, are generally considered compatible for use for lactating women by the AAP and other experts.
Pregnancy
Cefuroxime is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category B. Animal data show that there are no teratogenic effects of cefuroxime. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, cefuroxime should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Diabetes mellitus
Patients with diabetes mellitus should be aware that cefuroxime therapy may interfere with certain glucose test products or assays. A false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine may occur with copper reduction tests (Benedict's or Fehling's solution or with CLINITEST tablets), but not with enzyme-based tests for glycosuria (e.g., CLINISTIX). As a false-negative result may occur in the ferricyanide test, it is recommended that either the glucose oxidase or hexokinase method be used to determine blood/plasma glucose levels in patients receiving cefuroxime.
Infants, neonates, premature neonates
The safety and effectiveness of cefuroxime have been established for pediatric patients aged 3 months and older. Safety and effectiveness of cefuroxime sodium and cefuroxime axetil in infants below 3 months of age have not been established. Accumulation of other members of the cephalosporin class in neonates and premature neonates (with resulting prolongation of drug half-life) has been reported.
Phenylketonuria
Cefuroxime oral suspension should be used with caution in patients with phenylketonuria. The 125 mg/5 mL suspension contains 11.8 mg of phenylalanine per 5 mL. The 250 mg/5 mL suspension contains 25.2 mg of phenylalanine per 5 mL.
Sexually transmitted disease
While cefuroxime may be used to treat certain sexually transmitted diseases (STD), the drug may mask or delay the symptoms of incubating syphilis when given as part of an STD treatment regimen. All patients with a diagnosed or suspected STD should be tested for other STDs, which may include HIV, syphilis, and chlamydia at the time of diagnosis. Initiate appropriate therapy and perform follow-up testing as recommended based upon sexually transmitted disease diagnosis.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Severe
hemolytic anemia / Delayed / 0-1.0
pancytopenia / Delayed / 0-1.0
seizures / Delayed / 0-1.0
interstitial nephritis / Delayed / 0-1.0
toxic epidermal necrolysis / Delayed / 0-1.0
anaphylactoid reactions / Rapid / 0-1.0
erythema multiforme / Delayed / 0-1.0
Stevens-Johnson syndrome / Delayed / 0-1.0
vasculitis / Delayed / 0-1.0
serum sickness / Delayed / 0-1.0
acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) / Delayed / Incidence not known
aplastic anemia / Dela |
