From the Research
For treating bronchiectasis, cefuroxime is typically prescribed at a dose of 250-500 mg orally twice daily for adults, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
Key Considerations
- For more severe infections, the dose may be increased to 500 mg twice daily.
- Children can be given 10-15 mg/kg twice daily (maximum 250-500 mg per dose).
- Treatment duration usually ranges from 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the infection and clinical response.
- Cefuroxime should be taken with food to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Mechanism and Efficacy
- This second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many respiratory pathogens commonly found in bronchiectasis, including Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- However, cefuroxime is not typically a first-line treatment for bronchiectasis and would generally be used for acute exacerbations rather than long-term management, as noted in studies such as 2.
Patient Compliance
- Patients should complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve before the medication is finished.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- While other studies compare different antibiotic regimens for community-acquired pneumonia, such as ceftriaxone combination therapy versus respiratory fluoroquinolone monotherapy 3, the specific use of cefuroxime in bronchiectasis is less commonly addressed, emphasizing the need for clinical judgment based on the most relevant evidence available 4.