Cefuroxime Axetil, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: cephalosporin antibiotic

Generic and brand names: cefuroxime axetil, oral; Ceftin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a kind of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. It is taken by mouth to treat infections caused by bacteria. It does not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• bleeding problems
• colitis (disease of the intestine)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• phenylketonuria (PKU). Some forms of this medicine contain phenylalanine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

This medicine comes in different forms. You may take the tablets or capsules with or without food. Taking this medicine with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. If taking the liquid form of a medicine, use a special measuring spoon or syringe to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of medicine.

Swallow the tablets or capsules whole with water. Do not break, cut, or chew the tablets or capsules.

If you have the liquid form, shake the bottle well before pouring a dose. Take the liquid with food.

This medicine is most effective when taken in evenly spaced doses, around the clock. You may need to take it for 10 days or more, especially for serious infections.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the infection may return.

What if I miss a dose?

Do not miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve in a few days or if it gets worse.

This medicine may cause diarrhea. Severe bloody diarrhea may be a sign of a life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop diarrhea while taking this medicine, or for several weeks after you stop taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not take medicine to treat diarrhea without your provider's approval.

Do not use this medicine for other infections without your healthcare provider's approval.

You may develop a different infection while you are taking this medicine. Report any signs of infection to your healthcare provider.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect urine sugar test results. Talk to your healthcare provider about urine and blood sugar tests while you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat), seizures.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe stomach cramps, severe diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, thirst, trouble swallowing, unexplained joint or muscle pain, yellowish skin or eyes, bloody or black tarry stools or urine.

Other: Mild diarrhea, mild stomach upset, sore mouth or tongue, mild rash, vaginal itching or discharge, white patches in the mouth or throat, headache, dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• loop diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix), torsemide (Demadex), bumetanide (Bumex), and ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
• probenecid (Benemid)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store tablets or capsules at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

If you have the liquid form of this medicine, store it in the refrigerator. Dispose of any liquid left over after 14 days.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.