What is Cefuroxime Sodium: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Cefuroxime Sodium overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Cefuroxime Novaplus, Zinacef

Generic Names:

  • Cefuroxime Sodium

Uses:

  • Treats or prevents infections caused by bacteria. This medicine is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antibiotic

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Cefuroxime Sodium used for?

What form(s) does Cefuroxime Sodium come in

  • Injectable

What are common Cefuroxime Sodium doses?

  • Solution Reconstituted 1.5GM

  • Solution Reconstituted 750MG

Common Cefuroxime Sodium prescriptions

  • Cefuroxime Sodium
    1.5gm solution reconstituted

  • Cefuroxime Sodium
    7.5gm solution reconstituted

  • Cefuroxime Sodium
    750mg solution reconstituted

How to take Cefuroxime Sodium

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • To store the medicine: Liquid form: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Ask your doctor if you may keep the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.Frozen form: Store the medicine in the freezer. After the medicine has thawed, keep it at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • To store the medicine: Liquid form: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Ask your doctor if you may keep the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Frozen form: Store the medicine in the freezer. After the medicine has thawed, keep it at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • To store the medicine: Liquid form: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Ask your doctor if you may keep the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Frozen form: Store the medicine in the freezer. After the medicine has thawed, keep it at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.

  • Injection routeUse a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • To store the medicine: Liquid form: Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for 48 hours. Ask your doctor if you may keep the medicine in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.Frozen form: Store the medicine in the freezer. After the medicine has thawed, keep it at room temperature for 24 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze the medicine again after it has thawed.

  • Injection routeThrow away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

  • Injection routeYou may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • Injection routeA nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or a vein.

What to do if you miss a dose of Cefuroxime Sodium

Cefuroxime Sodium contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to cefuroxime or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic.

Cefuroxime Sodium warnings

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you had an allergic reaction to penicillin or any other drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or a history of colitis or other digestive problems.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine. This medicine may cause severe diarrhea for 2 or more months after you stop using it.

  • This medicine may affect the results of some glucose tests. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about testing your glucose levels while you are using this medicine.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Cefuroxime Sodium interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how cefuroxime works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: ProbenecidBirth control pillsBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Other antibiotic medicine (including neomycin, streptomycin)

  • This medicine may affect the results of some glucose tests. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about testing your glucose levels while you are using this medicine.

  • This medicine may cause severe diarrhea for 2 or more months after you stop taking it.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Cefuroxime Sodium side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Seizures

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, blood in the urine, swelling of the feet or lower legs

  • Severe diarrhea (watery or bloody) that may happen after you have stopped using this medicine

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Swelling, pain, or redness where your IV needle is placed

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