cefuroxime axetil at a glance
Medicine class
Second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic
Main uses
Selected bacterial infections affecting the throat, sinuses, middle ear, airways, urinary tract and skin, plus early Lyme disease
Food
Take tablets or suspension with food for best absorption
Formulations
Tablets and oral suspension are not interchangeable milligram for milligram
What is cefuroxime axetil used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for susceptible bacterial infections in adults and children aged at least 3 months.
Acute streptococcal tonsillitis and pharyngitis
Acute bacterial sinusitis
Acute middle-ear infection
Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cystitis
Pyelonephritis
Uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infections
Early Lyme disease
How does cefuroxime axetil work?
The body converts cefuroxime axetil into cefuroxime, which disrupts construction of the bacterial cell wall and causes susceptible bacteria to die.
cefuroxime axetil preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 125 mg, 250 mg
How to take cefuroxime axetil
Follow the dispensing label and product leaflet. Taking it with food improves absorption.
Swallow tablets whole; do not crush them.
Shake reconstituted suspension well before measuring it.
Keep reconstituted suspension refrigerated at 2–8°C, do not freeze it, and discard it after 10 days.
Suspension may be mixed with cold fruit juice or milk and taken immediately; do not mix it with hot liquids.
Use the supplied oral syringe or measuring device, not a household spoon.
cefuroxime axetil side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or abdominal pain
- Headache or dizziness
- Candida overgrowth, such as thrush
- Temporary increases in liver enzymes
- Eosinophilia
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Severe skin reactions, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis or DRESS
- Antibiotic-associated colitis, including Clostridioides difficile infection
- Haemolytic anaemia or marked reductions in blood cells
- Hepatitis or cholestatic jaundice
- Kounis syndrome, an allergic reaction affecting the coronary arteries
cefuroxime axetil in pregnancy
Most studies of cephalosporins have not shown harm to the baby. A clinician should weigh the expected benefit against uncertainty from limited medicine-specific pregnancy data. Extra fetal monitoring is not usually required solely because of cephalosporin exposure.
cefuroxime axetil while breastfeeding
Cefuroxime enters breast milk in small amounts and serious effects are not expected. A prescriber should assess benefits and risks, particularly for a premature or unwell infant. Monitor the baby for diarrhoea, thrush, rash or feeding problems.
cefuroxime axetil interactions
Check all medicines, including non-prescription products, with the prescriber or pharmacist.
Medicines that reduce stomach acidity
They may reduce cefuroxime axetil absorption and counteract the absorption benefit of food.
Probenecid
It substantially increases cefuroxime exposure, so concurrent use is not recommended.
Common questions about cefuroxime axetil
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is cefuroxime axetil a penicillin?
No. It is a cephalosporin antibiotic, although both groups belong to the beta-lactam family.
Does cefuroxime axetil treat colds or flu?
No. It acts against susceptible bacteria and does not treat viral infections such as colds or influenza.
Can the tablets be crushed?
No. The selected tablet product should not be crushed. Discuss an appropriate alternative formulation if swallowing is difficult.
Can the liquid replace the tablets directly?
No. The suspension and tablets have different absorption and are not interchangeable milligram for milligram.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.