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What Is Cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime is a prescription cephalosporin antibacterial available as oral cefuroxime axetil and injectable cefuroxime sodium. Oral tablets treat selected infections of the throat, ears, sinuses, lower respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract, along with uncomplicated gonorrhea and early Lyme disease. Injectable cefuroxime is used for selected serious bacterial infections and surgical prophylaxis.

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What Is Cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime is a prescription cephalosporin antibacterial available as oral cefuroxime axetil and injectable cefuroxime sodium. Oral tablets treat selected infections of the throat, ears, sinuses, lower respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract, along with uncomplicated gonorrhea and early Lyme disease. Injectable cefuroxime is used for selected serious bacterial infections and surgical prophylaxis.

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How Does Cefuroxime Stop Bacterial Growth?

Cefuroxime is bactericidal and inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. Oral cefuroxime axetil is absorbed and converted to active cefuroxime. The drug interferes with penicillin-binding proteins needed for peptidoglycan formation. Resistance can develop through beta-lactamases, altered penicillin-binding proteins, reduced permeability, or bacterial efflux pumps.

Which Infections Are Treated With Cefuroxime?

Oral cefuroxime axetil treats selected pharyngitis or tonsillitis, otitis media, bacterial sinusitis, bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, uncomplicated skin or urinary infections, gonorrhea, and early Lyme disease. Injectable cefuroxime has labeled uses for lower respiratory, urinary, skin, bloodstream, meningeal, gonococcal, bone, and joint infections caused by susceptible organisms.

How Is Cefuroxime Dosed?

Adults and adolescents age 13 and older commonly take 250 mg every 12 hours for pharyngitis, sinusitis, or uncomplicated urinary infection. Early Lyme disease uses 500 mg every 12 hours for 20 days. Injectable adult dosing commonly ranges from 750 mg to 1.5 g every eight hours. Kidney impairment can require longer dosing intervals.

What Safety Problems Need Attention With Cefuroxime?

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur with cefuroxime. Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea and overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms are other concerns. Common tablet reactions include diarrhea and nausea or vomiting. Severe kidney impairment calls for dose adjustment, and cefuroxime is contraindicated in people with a serious cephalosporin allergy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cefuroxime

Is cefuroxime a cephalosporin antibiotic?

Yes. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibacterial available in oral and injectable forms.

Can cefuroxime treat early Lyme disease?

Yes. Oral cefuroxime axetil is labeled for early Lyme disease caused by susceptible Borrelia burgdorferi.

Can cefuroxime tablets be crushed?

Patients who cannot swallow tablets whole should use oral suspension, since crushed tablets have a strong persistent bitter taste.

Are cefuroxime tablets and oral suspension interchangeable?

No. Current labeling states that the tablets and oral suspension are not bioequivalent and are not substituted milligram for milligram.

References

Cefuroxime. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601206.html. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

Cefuroxime. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599503/. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

Cefuroxime Injection. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684044.html. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

DailyMed - CEFUROXIME AXETIL tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=bb7955fe-5111-1662-e053-2a95a90a85a1. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.

DailyMed - CEFUROXIME injection, powder, for solution. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=703cc338-c0b6-4a02-b8db-c27aeff181df. Date Accessed September 21, 2026.