From the Guidelines
Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, which work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death. As a second-generation cephalosporin, cefuroxime has improved activity against gram-negative bacteria compared to first-generation agents while maintaining good activity against many gram-positive organisms.
Key Characteristics of Cefuroxime
- It is commonly used to treat various infections including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and certain sexually transmitted diseases.
- Cefuroxime is available in both oral and injectable forms, with the oral form (cefuroxime axetil) being converted to the active drug in the body.
- Typical adult dosing ranges from 250-500 mg orally twice daily or 750-1500 mg intravenously every 8 hours, depending on the severity and type of infection being treated.
- Like other cephalosporins, patients with penicillin allergies may experience cross-reactivity, though this is less common with second-generation agents than with first-generation cephalosporins, as noted in studies such as 1.
Clinical Use and Recommendations
- The choice of cefuroxime should be based on local resistance patterns and the specific type of infection being treated, as outlined in guidelines like those from the Infectious Diseases Society of America 1.
- For certain infections, such as diabetes-related foot infections, cefuroxime may be considered as part of empirical antibiotic therapy, especially in cases where there is a risk of gram-negative rods or when the patient has recent antibiotic exposure, as suggested in 1.
- However, the most recent and highest quality evidence should always guide the selection of antibiotics, considering factors such as resistance patterns, patient allergies, and the severity of the infection, as discussed in 1 and 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Cefuroxime, USP is a sterile semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, cephalosporin antibiotic for parenteral administration. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic 2.
- It belongs to the class of beta-lactam antibiotics, which also includes penicillins.
- Cephalosporins are a specific class of beta-lactam antibiotics.
From the Research
Classification of Cefuroxime
Characteristics of Second-Generation Cephalosporins
- Second-generation cephalosporins have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms 4, 5, 6, 7.
- They are relatively stable against beta-lactamases, which are enzymes produced by some bacteria that can inactivate certain antibiotics 4, 5, 6.
Specific Activity of Cefuroxime
- Cefuroxime is active against a wide range of bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Moraxella catarrhalis 3, 4, 6.
- It is also effective against some Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis 3, 4, 6.