What is Ceftin?
Ceftin is an antibacterial. It fights bacteria within your body. Ceftin can be used to treat bacterial infections of the nose, throat, lungs, and skin. It is also effective in treating bacterial infections that affect the bones, joints, kidneys, bladder, or ear. Cefuroxime can also be used to treat gonorrhea, meningitis, sepsis, or early Lyme disease. Ceftin is given to patients just before surgery in order to prevent infection.
Warnings
Ceftin should not be used if you've ever experienced a severe reaction to any cephalosporin (Keflex or Omnicef). You should tell your doctor if there is a history of liver, kidney, diabetes, or intestinal disease. Ceftin may make birth control pills ineffective, leading to pregnancy. Inform your doctor if birth control pills are being taken to prevent pregnancy. During treatment with this medication, you may need to use a different form of birth control. You should take this medication as prescribed by your physician. You may see improvement in your symptoms before the infection has been completely treated. Cefuroxime does not treat viral infections such as the flu or the common cold. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhoea that is bloody or watery. If your doctor has not prescribed any medication to treat diarrhoea, do not take it. Cefuroxime may cause false results in certain medical tests, including urine glucose tests (sugar tests). Inform any doctor that you see about your use of this medication.
Before you take this drug
Ceftin should not be used if you suffer from an allergy to penicillin or cefuroxime (Cefdinir, Keflex, Omnicef, and other cephalosporins).
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that ceftin will be safe for you:
- A stomach or intestine disorder, such as colitis.
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- If you are malnourished.
Tell your physician immediately if you become pregnant or nursing. Birth-control pills may be less effective if you are taking certain antibiotics. You can ask your doctor about non-oral methods of birth control. These include injections, patches, rings, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges. Ceftin should not be used by children younger than 3 months.
How to take Ceftin?
Ceftin should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Read all the instructions on the prescription label. Ceftin is taken orally. Ceftin orally can be administered as a single dosage to treat gonorrhea. Ceftin is given orally for most other infections. For early Lyme disease, it's usually taken for 20 days. Be sure to comply with your doctor's advice. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. Take the tablet with food or without. If your child cannot swallow the tablet in its entirety, tell your doctor. Ceftin is administered as an injection into the muscle or vein. Your healthcare provider may give you your first dose and teach you how to use it properly.
Prepare an injection only when you're prepared to administer it. If the medication has changed colour or contains particles, do not use it. For new medicine, call your pharmacist. Even if your symptoms improve quickly, take this medication until the full course has been prescribed.You can get an infection resistant to the medication if you skip doses. Ceftin does not treat a virus, such as the flu or a cold.
Tell your doctor that you are using this medicine. Inform any doctor that you see about your use of this medication. Store the oral medication at room temperature, away from moisture and warmth. Keep the bottle safely closed when not being used. The powder injection must be mixed with a liquid before it can be injected. The ceftin is usually frozen at the time of delivery. Thaw it out at room temperature. You can store the injection in the refrigerator or at room temperature for up to seven days after thawing. Once the medication has thawed, do not refreeze it.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If your next dose is just around the corner, do not take that missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once. If you missed a ceftin infusion, call your doctor to get instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poisoning, or seek immediate medical care. Overdose symptoms may include seizures.
What should be avoided?
Diarrhoea can be caused by antibiotics. This could indicate a new infection.Contact your physician immediately if you experience bloody or watery diarrhoea prior to taking antidiarrheal medication.
Side effects of Ceftin
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives or difficulty breathing) or a severe reaction on your skin (fever, sore mouth, burning eyes, pain in the skin, or a red or purple rash with blisters or peeling), then seek emergency medical attention.
If you experience:
- Severe stomach pain or diarrhoea that is bloody or watery (even months after the last dose);
- Jaundice
- Fever, chills, and muscle pain
- Feeling light-headed? Are You Feeling As If You Could Pass Out
- Hearing problems;
- A seizure;
- Kidney disease: no or little urination; painful or difficult urination; swelling of the feet or ankles
Ceftin can cause a variety of side effects.
- Diarrhoea;
- Fever and body aches
- Nausea, vomiting,
- Vaginal itching and discharge
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; otherwise contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report them.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your physician of any medications taken other than those listed above, such as:
- Probenecid;
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- A blood thinner Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven
- Reduces stomach acid: esomeprazole (famotidine), Nexium (pepcid), Prevacid (Prilosec), Tagamet (Zantac), and others.
This list is incomplete. Cefuroxime may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass all potential drug interactions.
