Cefuroxime Teva

Company: Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
Legal category: Prescription. GMS. Sport permitted.
Active ingredient: Cefuroxime 250mg, 500mg.
Description: Light blue film-coated tablets marked either 250 or 500 on one side and P125 or P126 on reverse, resp.
Presentation: 250mg-14, €5.34: 500mg-14, €10.16.
Indications: Mild to moderately severe infections such as upper respiratory tract infections (acute otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis), acute bacterial bronchitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, lower uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis), skin and soft tissue infections (furunculosis, pyoderma and impetigo), early stage Lyme disease (stadium I) and prevention of late complications (> 12 years).

Pharmacology: All cephalosporins (β-lactam antibiotics) inhibit cell wall production and are selective inhibitors of peptidoglycan synthesis. The initial step in drug action consists of binding of the drug to cell receptors, called Penicillin-Binding Proteins. After a β-lactam antibiotic has bound to these receptors, the transpeptidation reaction is inhibited and peptidoglycan synthesis is blocked. Bacterial lysis is the end result.
Dosage: Usual duration is 7 days; range 5-10 days (except pharyngotonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes: ≥10 days). Take shortly after meals, do not chew. Adult: Upper RTIs: 250-500mg twice daily. Lower RTIs: 500mg twice daily. Lower UTIs: 125-250mg twice daily. Skin/soft tissue infections: 250-500mg twice daily. Early Lyme disease: 500mg daily during 20 days. Renal impairment (cc < 20 ml/min): Caution. Supplementary doses needed after dialysis. Elderly: Maximum 1g daily. Children: Over 12 years, as per adults. 5-12 years, 125-250mg twice daily; acute otitis media: 250mg twice daily. Under 5 years, oral suspension advised. Under 3 months, no experience.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to cefuroxime, other cephalosporins or to any of the excipients, penicillin or to any other type of β-lactam antibiotics. Pregnancy (unless considered essential), lactation.
Special precautions: Hypersensitivity to cefuroxime, other cephalosporins, penicillin or to any other type of β-lactam antibiotics (discontinue if occurs). Pseudomembranous colitis (discontinue). Overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms (prolonged use). Not recommended: Severe intestinal tract disorders with vomiting and diarrhoea (consider parenteral treatment). Slight to moderate hearing loss reported in children.
Drug interactions: Avoid: Drugs which increase stomach pH, tetracyclines, macrolides, chloramphenicol. Caution: Probenecid, potent diuretics, aminoglycosides, amphotericin. May interfere with urine glucose test (Benedict- or Fehling-solution, Clinitest) and Coombs test. Oral contraceptives (reduces reliability).
Adverse drug reactions: Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (Lyme disease treatment), diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, urticaria, pruritus, increased levels of creatinine and urea in serum.
Full prescribing information and references available from Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland. Telephone: 1800 201700.