One of the most common antibiotics for treating diseases of the upper respiratory tract and other organs is Cefuroxime Axetil. This is a second-generation cephalosporin group drug. Compared with other similar antibiotics, it is more stable and has a wide spectrum of action. It is used to treat tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, infections of the skin and soft tissues, and prevention of postoperative complications.
Cephalosporin Antibiotics
Antibacterial drugs are drugs that contain substances that can destroy pathogens or inhibit their reproduction. The most common are beta-lactam antibiotics that have a bactericidal effect. These are penicillins and cephalosporins, which have a similar structure. Compared to the more common penicillin antibiotics, cephalosporins are more stable and active, and bacteria are less resistant to bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics of this group are now the drugs of choice for the treatment of many diseases in adults and children.
There are 5 generations of cephalosporins, but so far only the first three are common. They are represented by drugs that can be used both orally and for injection. Like penicillins, cephalosporins destroy the cell walls of bacteria and prevent them from multiplying. From the first to the third generation of this group of antibiotics, the spectrum of their action with respect to gram-negative bacteria is gradually expanding. But they become less active towards gram-positive microorganisms.
First-generation cephalosporins — Cefazolin, Cefalexin, and Cefadroxil — are far less effective than most penicillins and other antibiotics. They appeared on sale in the 60s of the 20th century, so they are now being used less and less. The most common second-generation drugs. These are Cefaclor, Cefuroxime, and Cefuroxime Aksetil. The remaining cephalosporins have a wider spectrum of action, but are mainly used in a hospital for injection. These are Ceftriaxone, Cefixin, Cefepin and others.
Drug characteristics
This antibiotic is most common not only among cephalosporins, but also among antibacterial agents of other groups. This is due to the wide spectrum of its action and the fact that microorganisms rarely acquire resistance to it. Its advantages include good tolerance and a rare occurrence of side effects. Compared to penicillin antibiotics, Cefuroxime axetil is resistant to beta-lactamases, therefore it often becomes the drug of choice for a variety of infections. It is also active against staphylococci, which produce penicillinases.
From the group of cephalosporins, "Cefuroxime axetil" is considered the most effective, since it acts on such microorganisms that are resistant to other antibiotics. A feature of this tool is that it is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, so it can be used to treat meningitis, encephalitis and other inflammatory diseases of the meninges.
What else is remarkable for the preparation "Cefuroxime axetil"? The release form is convenient for different groups of patients:
- in the treatment of severe infections, a solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration is used, it is made from a powder diluted with water for injection;
- in outpatient treatment of adults, tablets with a dosage of 150, 250 or 500 mg are used;
- for children, it is best to use a suspension that is prepared from special granules.
But which form of the drug to use is determined by the doctor. After all, they all have different concentrations of the active substance and are not a complete replacement for each other.
Drug action
This antibiotic of the 2nd generation of cephalosporins has a wide spectrum of action. It contains substances that destroy the cell walls of bacteria, but do not affect healthy cells. It is especially effective against salmonella, shigella, Escherichia, protea, enterobacteria, pathogens of gonorrhea and upper respiratory tract infections. The drug is also active against most strains of staphylococci and streptococci. But there are bacteria that are resistant to Cefuroxime aksetil. These are pseudomonads, listeria, most strains of enterococci, some staphylococci.
The action of the drug begins after about half an hour, with intravenous administration - almost immediately, it lasts about 8 hours. It should be taken twice a day, and when using injections - 3-4 times. Therefore, for severe infections, it is recommended to use "Cefuroxime" in injections.
Indications for use
For the treatment of various infectious diseases in children and adults, Cefuroxime is often used. Its action in relation to most gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria allows you to successfully prescribe it in such cases:
- with infections of the upper respiratory tract - tonsillitis, pneumonia bronchitis, sinusitis;
- gynecological diseases, for example, adnexitis or endometritis;
- infections of the skin, soft tissues and bones - erysipelas, pyoderma, furunculosis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis;
- pyelonephritis, cystitis;
- sepsis, peritonitis;
- meningitis, encephalitis, Lyme disease;
- gonorrhea;
- for the prevention of postoperative complications.
"Cefuroxime": instructions for use
The price of the drug allows any patient to use it, since it is relatively inexpensive - only 250-400 rubles. Therefore, it is used both in a hospital for intravenous or intramuscular administration, and in outpatient treatment for oral administration. Patients note that it is very convenient to take Cefuroxime. Its dosage is determined individually, depending on the severity of the infection and its localization. Usually it is 250-500 mg, divided into 2 doses per day. You can drink tablets regardless of food intake. If one tablet is accidentally missed, it must be taken immediately, as they remembered, the next dose should be no earlier than 5 hours. Do not double the dose without the advice of a doctor.
The dosage for intramuscular or intravenous administration of Cefuroxime is calculated a little differently. Injections are recommended in a hospital setting, as improper injection can cause side effects. Usually prescribed from 0.75 mg to 1.5 g three times a day. Depending on the severity of the infection, the dose may be increased, but not more than 6 g per day. It is optimal for most infections to use 60 mg per kilogram of patient weight per day.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. But most often used "Cefuroxime" for a week. In severe infections, treatment is started with injections - 2-3 days, then switched to oral administration. It can last up to 10 days, and for serious diseases, for example, with Lyme disease - 20 days. Interruption of treatment ahead of schedule determined by the doctor is not recommended. This can not only cause the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, but also the development of serious complications.
Features of use in children
"Cefuroxime ascetic" is used to treat infectious diseases at any age. The drug is widely used in pediatric practice. Do not use it only for the treatment of newborns and premature babies.
The only feature of the use in children is the need for accurate dosing. Dosage is determined not taking into account age, but depending on the weight of the patient. Intravenous or intramuscular injections are given in a hospital setting. Usually, children older than 3 months require from 30 to 100 mg per kg of body weight per day. This number is divided into 3 doses. Orally for children under 12 years of age, it is recommended not to use tablets, but a suspension. It is better tolerated by children, kids drink it easily. And it’s more convenient to dose the drug in this form.
Contraindications
"Cefuroxime" is a medicine that is one of the most commonly prescribed for serious infections. But despite its high efficiency, not everyone can use it. Do not prescribe this medication in case of initial intolerance, physical exhaustion, weakened immunity, as well as in the presence of an allergy to any drug of the cephalosporins or penicillins group. You can not drink "Cefuroxime" for serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the presence of bleeding. It is not recommended to use this medicine also for the treatment of elderly patients, since after 60 years the risk of developing side effects increases.
Side effects
Like all other antibacterial drugs, Cefuroxime Axetil can cause negative reactions. They are especially common in people with penicillin intolerance. Injections can cause severe pain at the injection site, the appearance of infiltrate, and even damage to the walls of blood vessels. Tablets "Cefuroxime 500" most often negatively affect the digestive tract. Therefore, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, impaired intestinal and liver functions are the most common side effects of this treatment. In addition, the drug can cause such consequences:
- rash, pruritus, and other allergic reactions;
- increased tendency to bleeding;
- candidiasis;
- hepatitis;
- dizziness, confusion;
- bleeding
- inflammatory kidney disease;
- a change in the pattern of blood.
Special instructions for the use of the drug
In a pharmacy, only with a prescription, you can buy Cefuroxime. Instructions for use, price, analogues and dosage features - all this information can be obtained from your doctor. The dosage of the drug is set strictly individually, for example, in case of impaired renal function, it must be reduced and the drug should be taken under constant medical supervision.
Many are interested in whether it is possible to be treated with Cefuroxime during pregnancy and during lactation. Special studies of this treatment have not been carried out, but it is believed that this tool does not have a toxic effect on the embryo. Although the advisability of prescribing the drug should be determined by the doctor, taking into account the condition of the mother. But breastfeeding for the period of treatment is recommended to be stopped, since Cefuroxime is actively excreted in milk.
Interaction with other medicines
Like all other antibiotics, Cefuroxime Axetil actively suppresses the intestinal microflora. As a result, the synthesis of vitamin K, which is involved in blood coagulation, is disrupted. Therefore, with simultaneous use with anticoagulants, as well as with salicylates or NSAIDs, there may be a risk of bleeding.
If you use "Cefuroxime" with loop diuretics, its toxic effect on the kidneys and urinary system increases. And sharing with antacids slows its absorption, therefore, the effectiveness of treatment is reduced.
Cefuroxime: analogues
Sometimes it happens that the patient is not able to purchase a drug with that name. But various pharmaceutical companies produce several drugs, the main active ingredient of which is cefuroxime. If you consider the dosage and consult with your doctor, you can use any of them for treatment. What drugs can replace Cefuroxime? Analogs of his most common are: Aksef, Auroxetil, Biofuroxime, Zinacef, Zinnat, Kimacef, Tsefoktam, Cetil, Cefumax and others. It is not recommended to replace the antibiotic prescribed by your doctor with drugs with a different composition, even if they have a similar effect.
Reviews about the drug
Most doctors, when necessary to prescribe antibiotics, often opt for the drug "Cefuroxime". Reviews about this treatment are most often positive. People note the high effectiveness of the drug. Most patients noticed that on the second day their condition improved significantly. And only in rare cases do side effects appear.