Cefuroxime is a bactericidal antibiotic from the group of β-lactams. Within this group, it belongs to the 2nd generation cephalosporins. It is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and is characterised by its cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetrability. It is therefore used in the treatment of meningitis and in the treatment of infections of the kidneys, respiratory tract and skin. It is used either as an infusion or as a tablet. Cefuroxime is available only on prescription.
Effect
Pharmacodynamics
Cefuroxime is a beta-lactam antibiotic. Its action is based on the inhibition of cell wall synthesis of bacteria. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located within the bacterial cell wall, the third and final stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis is inhibited. As a result, cross-links important for stability can no longer be formed and the pathogen's cell wall disintegrates. Cell lysis is then mediated by autolytic enzymes of the bacterial cell wall such as autolysins; It is possible that cefuroxime interferes with an autolysin inhibitor.
Pharmacokinetics
Cefuroxime is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is greater when cefuroxime is taken after meals (absolute bioavailability increases from 37% to 52%). Protein binding is 50%. Half-life is approximately 80 minutes after intramuscular or intravenous injection.
Drug Interactions
Medications used to reduce gastric acidity may affect the bioavailability of cefuroxime. The beneficial effect of a meal on absorption of the drug may also be reversed.
Cefuroxime affects the intestinal flora. Therefore, other drugs such as estrogens may be less readily absorbed and oral contraceptives may have a decreased effect. Similarly, there may be an increase in the International Normalized Ratio (INR) if oral blood thinners (anticoagulants) are given concomitantly with the antibiotic.
When the agent is co-prescribed with probenecid, the maximum concentration of cefuroxime may increase significantly and the elimination half-life may be prolonged. Therefore, concomitant medication with the two agents is not recommended. The drug should also not be combined with other antibiotics such as tetracyclines, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, or sulfonamides because antagonistic and synergistic effects may occur with aminoglycosides.
Since cefuroxime is excreted almost unchanged by the kidneys, renal function should be regularly checked and monitored if patients are taking parallel loop diuretics such as furosemide or etacrynic acid or potentially kidney-damaging drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, polymyxin B and colistin are combined with the active substance. This also applies to elderly patients with impaired renal function.
All information used for the content comes from verified sources (recognised institutions, experts, studies by renowned universities). We attach great importance to the qualification of the authors and the scientific background of the information. Thus, we ensure that our research is based on scientific findings.
Markus Falkenstätter, BSc Author
Markus Falkenstätter is a writer on pharmaceutical topics in Medikamio's medical editorial team. He is in the last semester of his pharmacy studies at the University of Vienna and loves scientific work in the field of natural sciences.
Mag. pharm. Stefanie Lehenauer Lector
Stefanie Lehenauer has been a freelance writer for Medikamio since 2020 and studied pharmacy at the University of Vienna. She works as a pharmacist in Vienna and her passion is herbal medicines and their effects.
The content of this page is an automated and high-quality translation from DeepL. You can find the original content in German here.
