From the Guidelines
Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) is recommended for the treatment of adult patients with early localized or early disseminated Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans, at a dosage of 500 mg twice per day for 14 days 1.
Key Points
- Ceftin is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic effective against various bacterial infections, including Lyme disease.
- The recommended dosage for adults with Lyme disease is 500 mg twice daily for 14 days.
- For children, the dosage is 30 mg/kg per day in 2 divided doses (maximum, 500 mg per dose) 1.
- Ceftin should be taken with food to enhance absorption.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
- Patients with penicillin allergies may also be allergic to Ceftin.
Important Considerations
- Ceftin is not recommended as a first-line treatment for patients with severe, life-threatening infections or those with recent antimicrobial use (past 4-6 weeks) 1.
- Macrolide antibiotics are not recommended as first-line therapy for early Lyme disease, but may be used in patients who are intolerant of or should not take amoxicillin, doxycycline, and cefuroxime axetil 1.
- First-generation cephalosporins, such as cephalexin, are ineffective for treatment of Lyme disease and should not be used 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Ceftin Overview
- Ceftin, also known as cefuroxime axetil, is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent used to treat various infections, including upper and lower respiratory tract infections, genitourinary infections, skin and soft-tissue infections, and erythema migrans associated with early stage Lyme disease 2.
- It has been shown to be effective against several gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, including those most frequently associated with common community-acquired infections 2.
Efficacy in Respiratory Tract Infections
- Cefuroxime axetil has been proven to be an effective treatment for community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia and acute bronchitis 3, 4.
- A study comparing the efficacy of cefuroxime axetil with amoxicillin-clavulanate in the treatment of secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis found that a 5-day course of cefuroxime axetil was as effective as a 10-day course of amoxicillin-clavulanate 4.
Comparison with Other Antibiotics
- Cefuroxime axetil has been compared to other antibiotics, including cefditoren and cefadroxil, in the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections, and has been found to have similar clinical cure rates and tolerability 5.
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate, another broad-spectrum antibacterial agent, has been found to have a higher incidence of drug-related adverse events compared to cefuroxime axetil 4, 6.
Safety and Tolerability
- Cefuroxime axetil is generally well tolerated, with most adverse events being mild to moderate in intensity and reversible upon discontinuation of treatment 2, 5.
- The most common adverse events associated with cefuroxime axetil include gastrointestinal disturbances, such as diarrhea and nausea 2, 4, 5.