From the Guidelines
Cefuroxime 500 mg is primarily indicated for treating respiratory tract infections, including acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, as well as otitis media, sinusitis, and uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, based on the most recent evidence from 1. The typical adult dosage is 250-500 mg twice daily for 7-10 days, depending on infection severity. For more serious infections, doses may be increased to 500 mg twice daily. Some key points to consider when prescribing cefuroxime include:
- Cefuroxime works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, making it effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and some Enterobacteriaceae, as noted in 1.
- However, it has limited activity against anaerobes, Pseudomonas, and MRSA.
- Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and rash.
- Patients with penicillin allergies may experience cross-reactivity, and dosage adjustments are necessary for those with renal impairment.
- The Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus guidelines on the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults recommend cefuroxime as a preferred antimicrobial therapy for specific pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, as stated in 1.
- Other studies, such as 1 and 1, provide additional information on the use of cefuroxime in treating various infections, but the most recent and highest quality evidence is from 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cefuroxime for Injection, USP is indicated for the treatment of patients with infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms in the following diseases: Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, including pneumonia, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pyogenes, and Escherichia coli. Urinary Tract Infections caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Skin and Skin-Structure Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterobacter spp. Septicemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), and Klebsiella spp Meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), Neisseria meningitidis, and Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains). Gonorrhea: Uncomplicated and disseminated gonococcal infections due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains) in both males and females Bone and Joint Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (penicillinase- and non–penicillinase-producing strains)
The indications for Cefuroxime 500 are:
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Skin and Skin-Structure Infections
- Septicemia
- Meningitis
- Gonorrhea
- Bone and Joint Infections 2
From the Research
Indications for Cefuroxime 500
- Cefuroxime axetil is indicated for the treatment of various infections, including:
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) 3
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) 3, 4
- Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 5, 6, 7
- Genitourinary infections 3
- Skin and soft-tissue infections 3
- Erythema migrans associated with early stage Lyme disease 3
- The typical dosage of cefuroxime axetil for these indications is 250-500 mg twice daily 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Specific Indications
- For community-acquired pneumonia, cefuroxime axetil can be used as part of a sequential therapy regimen, with intravenous cefuroxime followed by oral cefuroxime axetil 3
- For acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, cefuroxime axetil can be used as a 5-10 day course of treatment 5, 6, 7
Efficacy and Safety
- Cefuroxime axetil has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of various infections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- The most common adverse events associated with cefuroxime axetil are gastrointestinal disturbances, which are typically mild to moderate in intensity and reversible upon discontinuation of treatment 3