Cefuroxime: a clear, practical guide

Cefuroxime is a second‑generation cephalosporin antibiotic used for common infections like sinusitis, bronchitis, ear infections, skin infections and some urinary tract infections. You’ll see it listed as cefuroxime axetil (oral) or cefuroxime sodium (IV). It’s widely prescribed and works by stopping bacteria from building cell walls.

How it’s usually given: adults commonly take 250–500 mg by mouth every 12 hours. For children the dose is weight-based—doctors often use about 20–30 mg/kg/day divided into two doses. For serious infections, hospitals can give IV cefuroxime (doses vary; providers choose the right amount). Always follow the exact dose your clinician prescribes.

Common side effects & warnings

Expect mild side effects in some people: diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, headache or a mild rash. If you get hives, swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing or a severe rash, stop the drug and get emergency care—those can be signs of a serious allergy. Cefuroxime can also disrupt gut bacteria and occasionally cause Clostridioides difficile diarrhea—if you have frequent, watery stools or fever after finishing antibiotics, contact your doctor.

Important warnings: if you’re allergic to penicillin there’s a chance you’ll react to cefuroxime too. Tell your prescriber about any penicillin reaction. Kidney function affects dosing—people with reduced kidney function often need lower doses. Cefuroxime can interact with some medicines (for example, it may increase blood thinning effects of warfarin), so list all your meds and supplements to your clinician.

Where to get it safely and sensible alternatives

Cefuroxime is prescription-only in most countries. Buy it only from a licensed pharmacy—online or local. If using an online pharmacy: make sure it requires a prescription, shows a real business address and phone number, and has clear pharmacist contact info. Avoid sites that sell antibiotics without asking for a prescription or offer suspiciously low prices.

If cefuroxime isn’t suitable, there are commonly used alternatives depending on the infection: cephalexin for many skin and soft tissue infections, amoxicillin‑clavulanate for some respiratory infections, azithromycin or doxycycline for certain cases. The right substitute depends on the bug, allergy history and local resistance patterns. Your prescriber chooses the safest and most effective option.

Final practical tips: take the full course even if you feel better, store tablets as the label says, and don’t share antibiotics. If side effects or new symptoms appear, call your provider. When in doubt about dosing, interactions or where to buy, your pharmacist is an easy, trustworthy place to ask.