Kefurox


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Generic Name: cefuroxime
(SEF ue ROX eem)

What is Kefurox?

Kefurox is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Kefurox is used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections, including severe or life-threatening forms.

Kefurox may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Kefurox?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Kefurox, or to similar antibiotics, such as Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, a history of intestinal problems, or if you are malnourished.

Kefurox can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Kefurox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Kefurox.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Kefurox?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to Kefurox, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

  • cefaclor (Raniclor)
  • cefadroxil (Duricef)
  • cefazolin (Ancef)
  • cefdinir (Omnicef)
  • cefditoren (Spectracef)
  • cefpodoxime (Vantin)
  • cefprozil (Cefzil)
  • ceftibuten (Cedax)
  • cephalexin (Keflex); or
  • cephradine (Velosef).

Before taking Kefurox, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis
  • diabetes; or
  • if you are malnourished.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Kefurox.

The oral suspension (liquid) form of Kefurox may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefuroxime if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Kefurox can make birth control pills less effective, which may result in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are taking birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use another form of birth control during treatment with cefuroxime.

Kefurox can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Kefurox?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may take Kefurox tablets with or without meals.

Kefurox oral suspension (liquid) must be taken with food.

Shake the oral liquid well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you switch from using the tablet form to using the oral suspension (liquid) form of Kefurox, you may not need to use the same exact dosage in number of milligrams. The medication may not be as effective unless you use the exact form and strength your doctor has prescribed.

Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Kefurox will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Kefurox.

Store Kefurox tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Store Kefurox oral liquid in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any unused medication that is older than 10 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include seizure (black-out or convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Kefurox?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of Kefurox?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
  • chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats
  • unusual bleeding
  • blood in your urine
  • seizure (convulsions)
  • pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
  • skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
  • increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath; or
  • painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, mild diarrhea, gas, upset stomach
  • cough, stuffy nose
  • stiff or tight muscles, muscle pain
  • joint pain or swelling
  • headache, drowsiness
  • feeling restless, irritable, or hyperactive
  • white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
  • unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
  • diaper rash in an infant taking liquid Kefurox;
  • mild itching or skin rash; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Kefurox?

Before taking Kefurox, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

  • probenecid (Benemid);
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
  • a medication that reduces stomach acid, such as an antacid, or cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), omeprazole (Prilosec), ranitidine (Zantac), and others; or
  • a diuretic (water pill) such as bumetanide (Bumex), furosemide (Lasix), indapamide (Lozol), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Kefurox. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start taking a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Kefurox.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009.