Cefuroxime pour l'infection

About cefuroxime

Cefuroxime is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it is active against a wide variety of bacteria. It is used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, chest infections, ear infections and sinusitis. It is also given as an injection during some surgical operations, such as for cataracts, to prevent an infection from occurring. Cefuroxime treats an infection by killing the bacteria that are causing it.

Cefuroxime is suitable for adults and children, and can be taken during pregnancy. Some people who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics may not be able to take cefuroxime, so make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other antibiotic.

Before taking cefuroxime

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking cefuroxime it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament. Il est particulièrement important que vous informiez votre médecin si vous avez eu une mauvaise réaction à une pénicilline ou à une céphalosporine.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement des reins.

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. (Although cefuroxime is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela comprend tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

How to take cefuroxime

• Before you start taking cefuroxime, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the antibiotic and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• You should take cefuroxime exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are two strengths of cefuroxime tablets available: 125 mg and 250 mg. It is usual to be prescribed either 125 mg or 250 mg to be taken twice a day, although doses can be higher than this for severe infections. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you (or your child), and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you. If you have been given liquid medicine, read the directions carefully to make sure you measure out the correct amount of medicine. Your doctor will also tell you how long your course of treatment will last - this is commonly about 5-7 days.

• Take your doses with a snack, or just after eating a meal. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break the tablets.

• Espacez les doses de façon régulière tout au long de la journée. Continuez à prendre l'antibiotique jusqu'à la fin du traitement, sauf si l'on vous demande d'arrêter. Il est important de prendre le traitement jusqu'au bout (même si vous avez l'impression que l'infection a disparu) afin de prévenir la réapparition de l'infection.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-en une dès que vous vous en rendez compte. Essayez de prendre le nombre correct de doses chaque jour, mais ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Certaines personnes développent un muguet (rougeur et démangeaison dans la bouche ou le vagin) après avoir pris un traitement antibiotique. Si vous pensez souffrir de muguet, demandez conseil à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

• If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are recommended for a time if you have vomiting or diarrhoea which lasts for more than 24 hours. If you need further advice about this, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

• If you are having an operation or any other medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking an antibiotic. This is because cefuroxime may interfere with the results of some tests to check for sugar in your urine.

• Cefuroxime may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this antibiotic.

Can cefuroxime cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cefuroxime. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you develop an itchy rash, or a swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these can be signs that you are allergic to the antibiotic. Do not take any more cefuroxime and speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui pourraient être dus à ce médicament, demandez conseil à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store cefuroxime

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

• If you have been given liquid medicine, store it in a refrigerator. It will have been made up by the pharmacy and lasts for 10 days, so remember to check the expiry date on the bottle and do not use it after this date.
  

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments