Brand Name: Zinnat

Generic Name: Cefuroxime axetil

Indications: Treatment of lower and upper respiratory tract infections, GUT infections, skin and soft tissue
infections, gonorrhea including acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis.
Drug Classification: Anti-infective
Mechanism of Action: Binds to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.
Therapeutic Effects: bactericidal action against susceptible bacteria.
Dosage: PO (Adults and Children >12 yr): most infections- 250-500 mg q 12 hr; UTI- 125-250 mg q 12 hr;
Gonorrhea- 1 g single dose
PO (Children <13 yr): most infections- 125 mg q 12 hr as tablets; otitis media- 250 mg q 12 hr as
tablets.
PO (Children 3 mo-12 yr): otitis media, impetigo- 15 mg/kg q 12 hr as oral suspension; pharyngitis
tonsillitis- 19 mg/kg 12 hr as oral suspension.
IM, IV (Adults): most infections- 750 mg-1.5 g q 8 hr; bacterial meningitis- up to 3 g q 8 hr;
perioperative prophylaxis (open heart surgery)- 1.5 g IV at anesthesia induction, then 1.5 g q 6 hr to
a total of 6 g; perioperative prophylaxis (other procedures)- 1.5 g 30-60 min before surgery, then 750
mg q 8 hr for up to 24 hr; gonorrhea- 105 g IM (750 mg in two sites) with 1 g probenecid PO.

IM, IV (Children and Infants >3 mo): most infections- 16.7-33.3 mg/kg q 8 hr or 15-50 mg/kg q 12
hr; bone infections- 50 mg/kg q 8 hr; bacterial meningitis- 50-60 mg/kg q 6 hr or 66.7-80 mg/kg q 8
hr.
IM, IV (Neonates): most infections- 200-400 mg q 12 hr; cystitis- 200 mg q 24 hr.
Special Precaution: Renal impairment; elderly, debilitated, or emaciated patients; pregnancy and lactation.
Pregnancy Risk Category: B
Adverse Reaction:
CNS: seizures.
GI: nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis.
Derm: rashes, urticaria.
Hemat: blood dyscrasias, hemolytic anemia.
Local: phlebitis at IV site, pain at IM site.
Misc: superinfection, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and serum sickness.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins, serious hypersensitivity to penicillins.
Form:
 Tablets: 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg. Oral suspension: 125 mg/5 ml. Powder for injection: 750 mg, 1.5
g, 7.5 g. Premixed containers: 750 mg/50 ml, 1.5 g/50 ml
Nursing Responsibilities:
 Assess patient for infection.
 Before initiating therapy, obtain a history to determine previous use of and reactions to penicillins
and cephalosporins.
 Obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity before initiating therapy.
 Observe patient for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
 Monitor prothrombin time and assess patient for bleeding daily.
 Administer drug Po around the clock.
 Reconstitute IM doses with sterile water for injection or 0.9% NaCl for injection.
 Change IV sites every 48-72 hr to prevent phlebitis.
 Administer direct IV slowly over 3-5 min.