Cefuroxime
Please note: This is for information only.
Refer to local guidelines for treatment recommendations
- A second generation cephalosporin
- Increased Gram negative activity compared to the first generation cephalosporins
- Usual adult dose: 750mg - 1.5g tds IV
- Oral preparation restricted use
- Dose reduction necessary in moderate to severe renal impairment
- Good tissue penetration but poor CSF penetration
- High risk of Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated diarrhoea if prescribed for elderly in-patients.
- Not to be used in patients with a serious penicillin allergy (e.g. anaphylaxis).
Main indications
Active against most strains of:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Haemophilus.influenzae
- Moraxella catarrhalis
- Coliforms (E.coli, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter)
- Staphylococcus aureus (not MRSA)
- b haemolytic streptococci
Not active against most strains of:
- MRSA
- Enterococcus
- Anaerobes
- Pseudomonas