This article describes possible side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about cefuroxime, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Cefuroxime oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Cefuroxime also comes in injectable forms, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of cefuroxime
Cefuroxime oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cefuroxime in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of cefuroxime
Cefuroxime may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- abdominal pain or cramps
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- indigestion
- Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction*
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- sleepiness
- vaginitis*
- mild allergic reaction*
Cefuroxime oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cefuroxime in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of cefuroxime
Cefuroxime may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from cefuroxime oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with cefuroxime.
Serious side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of cefuroxime in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of cefuroxime
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of cefuroxime usually last?
It depends. With many drugs, mild side effects are usually temporary. They tend to go away within a few days as your body gets used to the effects of the drug.
With antibiotics such as cefuroxime oral tablet, side effects like diarrhea may start and not go away. Tell your doctor if this happens or if other side effects become bothersome or don’t go away. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Is cefuroxime safe for older adults?
Yes, cefuroxime oral tablet is usually safe for older adults (ages 65 years and older). In studies, the safety of cefuroxime oral tablet was similar in adults below age 65 years and older adults.
It’s possible that older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet. This is because the body clears cefuroxime through the kidneys. Kidney function naturally starts to slow down with age. As a result, cefuroxime levels can remain high and may cause side effects in older adults.
If you have concerns about taking cefuroxime oral tablet given your age, talk with your doctor.
Does cefuroxime cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with cefuroxime oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects with cefuroxime.
Side effects of cefuroxime in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet.
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction was common in studies of people taking cefuroxime oral tablet for early Lyme disease. This side effect is usually mild.
With Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, people taking antibiotics for certain kinds of infections have worsening symptoms. In studies of cefuroxime oral tablet, it happened to people taking the antibiotic for early Lyme disease. The reaction usually starts within 24 hours of starting an antibiotic.
Symptoms may include:
Ways to manage
Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is usually temporary and self-limiting, meaning it will go away without treatment. But it can be hard to tell this reaction from more serious reactions. These include serious allergic reactions and sepsis, which can be life threatening.
If you have worsening symptoms of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction while taking cefuroxime oral tablet, get medical care right away.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis was common in studies of people taking cefuroxime oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
With vaginitis, the vagina becomes inflamed or infected. Often a yeast infection is the cause of vaginitis that can occur when you take antibiotics such as cefuroxime oral tablet.
Symptoms may include:
- discharge
- itchiness
- pain during sex
- urinary symptoms, such as burning or discomfort during urination
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of vaginitis, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to treat your symptoms.
Other bacterial or fungal infections
It’s possible to develop other bacterial or fungal infections when taking cefuroxime oral tablet. These side effects may be serious.
When you take an antibiotic, it kills bacteria that are causing an infection. But it can also kill helpful bacteria that normally live on your skin, in your digestive tract, or in other areas, such as your mouth or vagina. If this happens, it allows other microbes, such as fungi or other bacteria, to grow and cause another infection. This second infection is sometimes called a “suprainfection” or “superinfection”. A common example is a yeast infection.
Ways to manage
Tell your doctor if the symptoms of your infection go away, but then come back. You should also tell your doctor if you develop new symptoms while taking cefuroxime oral tablet. They can determine the most likely cause and recommend treatment.
For some people, cefuroxime oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to cefuroxime oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for cefuroxime
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking cefuroxime oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take cefuroxime oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether cefuroxime oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking cefuroxime oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and any medications you take. Things to consider include:
Cefuroxime and pregnancy
In general, cefuroxime oral tablet is considered safe to take during pregnancy. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.
Cefuroxime and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether cefuroxime oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Cefuroxime oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with cefuroxime oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dosage of cefuroxime I take?
- How can I manage common side effects of cefuroxime oral tablet?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
