Cefuroxim
Brands Names: Ceftin, Cefuroxime Axetil, Kefurex, Zinacef
- Form of administration: Pills or suspension
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Why is the drug here:
An important antibiotic in pediatrics.
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Purpose of treatment:
This antibiotic is used to treat a variety of infections in pediatrics, most commonly infections involving the respiratory or urinary tract.
- Ingredients: An antibiotic from the cephalosporin family called cefuroxim.
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How to use:
Suspension (or a pill for someone who knows how to swallow them). The dose varies according to the site of infection and the weight of the child and will always be divided twice a day. This is usually a dose of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight divided twice a day. For example, a child is weighing 10 kilograms he will receive a dose of 200 milligrams twice a day. The maximum dose is 500 milligrams per serving or in other words a gram per day.
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Benefits:
An important antibiotic that covers a wide range of contaminants in pediatrics. An excellent second line treatment for a number of bacterial infections that have failed first line treatments.
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Side Effects:
The major disadvantage of this drug in that some of the suspension forms have an unbearable taste. So if the doctor prescribes this antibiotic it is worth giving it with a back-up drug in case the child is unable to take it. The main side effect is related to the fact that this antibiotic also kills a lot of “good” bacteria, especially in the intestines, and therefore the incidence of abdominal pain and diarrhea is relatively high (up to 40% of cases). People which are allergic penicillin may have more severe allergic side effects.
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Another word from the doctor:
This antibiotics is basic in pediatrics, but (and this is very important) it is not a first line treatment in most pediatric infections. If you left the doctor with this drug (pediatrician, ENT specialist, etc.) try to find out why he prescribed Cefuroxim and not an antibiotic with narrower range of action. In addition, in many cases it is difficult to give children the suspension form because of the taste. If you have started treatment and the child is not willing to take it, update the physician who has prescribed this antibiotic.