Cefuroxime

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Cefuroxime
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(6R,7R)-3-{[(aminocarbonyl)oxy]methyl}-7-{[(2Z)-2-(2-furyl)-2-(methoxyimino) acetyl]amino}-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid
Clinical data
Trade names Zinacef
MedlinePlus a601206
Pregnancy cat. Not known to be harmful (BNF)
Legal status Prescription Only Medicine
Routes intramuscular, intravenous
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 37% on empty stomach, up to 52% if taken after food
Half-life 80 minutes
Excretion Urine 66–100% Unchanged
Identifiers
CAS number 55268-75-2 YesY
ATC code J01DC02 S01AA27 QJ51DC02
PubChem CID 5361202
DrugBank DB01112
ChemSpider 4514699 YesY
UNII O1R9FJ93ED YesY
KEGG D00262 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL466 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C16H16N4O8S 
Mol. mass 424.386 g/mol
 YesY (what is this?)  (verify)

Cefuroxime is a parenteral second generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It was discovered by Glaxo now GlaxoSmithKline and introduced in 1978 as Zinacef.[1] It was approved by FDA on 19 Oct 1983.[2] In US it is available as Zinacef by Covis Pharmaceuticals as the company acquired the US rights of the product from GSK.[3] In India it is available as Supacef by GSK.[4] Cefuroxime axetil is an acetoxyetyl ester prodrug of cefuroxime which is effective orally.[5]

Indications [edit]

As for the other cephalosporins, although as a second-generation it is less susceptible to beta-lactamase and so may have greater activity against Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Lyme disease. Unlike other second generation cephalosporins, cefuroxime can cross the blood-brain-barrier.

Side effects [edit]

Cefuroxime is generally well tolerated and side effects are usually transient. Cefuroxime, if ingested after food, is both better absorbed and less likely to cause its most common side effects of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches/migraines, dizziness and abdominal pain compared to most antibiotics in its class.[citation needed]

Although there is a widely quoted cross-allergy risk of 10% between cephalosporins and penicillin, recent assessments have shown no increased risk for cross-allergy for cefuroxime and several other second generation or later cephalosporins.[6]

References [edit]