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Cefuroxime

Aprokam, Cefuroxim, Cefuroxime Swyssi, Curocef · ATC code J01DC02

Also known as: Cefuroxim, Sefuroksim, Cefuroxime Axetil · Brand names: Aprokam, Cefuroxime Swyssi, Curocef, Ximaract, Zinnat, Cefurax, Cefurox, Aksef, Avifur, Bigcef, Cefaks, Cefrox, Ceftop, Cefurol, Enfexia …

Key facts
Active substance
Cefuroxime
Drug class
Cephalosporin antibiotic
ATC code
J01DC02
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Cefuroxime (as cefuroxime axetil) is an oral cephalosporin antibiotic. Per the US prescribing information, its tablets are used for mild-to-moderate bacterial infections.

What it is used for

  • Pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (adults and adolescents 13 years and older)
  • Acute bacterial otitis media in children who can swallow tablets whole
  • Acute bacterial maxillary sinusitis and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis
  • Uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, uncomplicated gonorrhea
  • Early Lyme disease (erythema migrans)

Dosing

  • Adults and adolescents 13 years and older: mostly 250 mg every 12 hours for 10 days (pharyngitis, sinusitis); 250 mg or 500 mg every 12 hours for bronchitis exacerbations and skin infections
  • Urinary tract infection: 250 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 10 days; gonorrhea: single 1,000 mg dose; early Lyme disease: 500 mg every 12 hours for 20 days
  • Children younger than 13 years (otitis media, sinusitis): 250 mg every 12 hours for 10 days
  • With or without food; tablets and oral suspension are not bioequivalent and not substitutable mg-per-mg; patients who cannot swallow tablets whole should receive the suspension
  • Renal impairment: creatinine clearance 10 to <30 mL/min standard dose every 24 hours, <10 mL/min every 48 hours; with hemodialysis, an additional dose at the end of each dialysis

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylaxis) to cefuroxime axetil or other beta-lactam antibacterials (penicillins, cephalosporins)

Important warnings

  • Serious and occasionally fatal anaphylactic reactions; ask about prior penicillin and cephalosporin allergy, discontinue if an allergic reaction occurs
  • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis
  • For further warnings see the full text

Side effects

  • Diarrhea 4%, nausea/vomiting 3%, transient AST and ALT elevation 2% each, eosinophilia 1%
  • Gastrointestinal reactions increase with higher doses
  • Serious: anaphylaxis

Interactions

  • Drugs that reduce gastric acidity lower bioavailability; give at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after short-acting antacids; avoid H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors
  • Probenecid increases cefuroxime concentrations; coadministration not recommended

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Decades of data on cephalosporins in pregnancy have not established a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage
  • Cefuroxime is present in human milk

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • AprokamLaboratoires Thea · 1 register entry
  • Cefuroxim1a Pharma Gmbh, Apta Medica Internacional D.O.O., Dr. Friedrich Eberth Arzneimittel Gmbh, Fresenius Kabi Austria Gmbh, Sandoz Gmbh, Hikma Farmacêutica (Portugal), S.A., Krka, D.D., Novo Mesto, Qilu Pharma Spain S.L., Mip Pharma Austria Gmbh · 11 register entries
  • Cefuroxime SwyssiSwyssi Ag · 1 register entry
  • CurocefSandoz Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • XimaractDr. Gerhard Mann Chem.-Pharm. Fabrik Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • ZinnatSandoz Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Germany

  • AprokamLaboratoires Thea · 1 register entry
  • CefuraxAristo Pharma Gmbh (Art 57) · 2 register entries
  • CefuroxBasics Gmbh · 3 register entries
  • Cefuroxim1 A Pharma Gmbh, Dr. Friedrich Eberth Arzneimittel Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh, Heumann Pharma Gmbh & Co. Generica Kg, Aristo Pharma Gmbh (Art 57), Ascend Gmbh, Hikma Farmacêutica (Portugal), S.A., Puren Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg, Stadapharm Gmbh, Chephasaar Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik Gmbh, Mip Pharma Gmbh, Cnp Pharma Gmbh, Aliud Pharma Gmbh · 22 register entries
  • XimaractDr. Gerhard Mann Chem.-Pharm. Fabrik Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Turkey

  • AksefNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 11 register entries
  • AvifurAVİS İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • BigcefNEUTEC İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş · 5 register entries
  • CefaksDEVA HOLDİNG A.Ş. · 14 register entries
  • CefroxKENTFARMA İLAÇ A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • CeftopTOPRAK İLAÇ VE KİMYEVİ MADDELER SAN.VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • CefuraxNOBEL SAĞLIK ÜRÜNLERİ LTD ŞTİ · 2 register entries
  • CefurolMENARİNİ SAĞLIK VE İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş. · 8 register entries
  • EnfexiaBİLİM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 8 register entries
  • FuroximedWORLD MEDICINE İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • InceptumSANOVEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 6 register entries
  • MultisefGENSENTA İLAÇ SANAYİ VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
Show all 21 brand names
  • OraceftinNOBEL SAĞLIK ÜRÜNLERİ LTD ŞTİ · 6 register entries
  • OraksetilACTAVİS İLAÇLARI A.Ş. · 7 register entries
  • PowercefVİTALİS İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş. · 7 register entries
  • SefaktilDROGSAN İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • SeffurTÜM-EKİP İLAÇ A.Ş. · 5 register entries
  • SefucareİSTANBUL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • SefuroksAVİXA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 9 register entries
  • TugensPHARMAVİSİON SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • ZannacefINCPHARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 2 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 27 more European countries
Belgium
Aprokam, Cefuroxim Fresenius Kabi, Cefuroxim Sandoz, Cefuroxime Eg, Ximaract, Zinacef, Zinnat
Bulgaria
Cefurocon, Аксетин, Аксеф, Зинат, Лифурокс, Неофуроксим, Фурекстил, Фуроцеф, Цероксим, Цефурокон, Цефуроксим Mip, Цефуроксим Неклайф, Цефуроксим Тенамид
Croatia
Axetine, Beloxim, Cefuroksim Aptapharma, Cefuroksim Swyssi, Cefuroxim Mip, Efox, Furexa, Furextil, Furocef, Xorimax, Zinnat
Cyprus
Axetine, Cefurax, Cefuroxime Synto, Prokam, Zilisten, Zinacef, Zinnat
Czechia
Aprokam, Axetine, Cefuroxim Kabi, Cefuroxime Swyssi, Medoxin, Ricefan, Xorimax, Zinacef, Zinnat, Znobact
Denmark
Aprokam, Cefudoc, Cefuroxim B. Braun, Cefuroxim Fresenius Kabi, Cefuroxim Mip, Cefuroxim Navamedic
Estonia
Axetine, Cefuroxime Mip, Furocef, Zinnat
Finland
Aprokam, Cefirion, Cefuroxim Mip Pharma, Cefuroxim Navamedic, Cefuroxime Orion Pharma
France
Aprokam, Cefuroxime Arrow, Cefuroxime Biogaran, Cefuroxime Cristers, Cefuroxime Krka, Cefuroxime Panpharma, Cefuroxime Sandoz, Cefuroxime Viatris, Cefuroxime Zentiva, Iceca, Zinnat
Greece
Anaptivan, Cefur, Cefuroprol, Cefuroxime /Kabi, Cupax, Fredyr, Gonif, Interbion, Medoxem, Nipogalin, Normafenac, Prokam, Sedopan, Yokel, Zilisten, Zinacef, Zinadol
Hungary
Cefuroxim Kabi, Cefuroxime Aptapharma, Cefuroxime Swyssi, Furocef, Ximaract, Zinacef, Zinnat
Iceland
Aprokam, Cefuroxim Fresenius Kabi, Cefuroxim Navamedic, Kefzero, Zinacef
Ireland
Aprok, Ceftal, Cefuroxime, Zinacef, Zinnat
Italy
Aprokam, Cefuroxima, Curoxim, Monacef, Oraxim, Tilexim, Ximaract, Zinnat
Latvia
Axetine, Cefuroxime Bcpp, Cefuroxime Mip, Xorimax, Zinnat
Lithuania
Axetine, Cefuroxime Ingen Pharma, Cefuroxime Mip, Refoxim, Ricefan, Xorimax, Zinnat
Luxembourg
Aprokam, Cefuroxim Fresenius, Cefuroxime Eg, Zinacef, Zinnat
Malta
Axetine, Cefuroxime Axetil Ccav, Cefuroxime Dali Pharma, Cefuroxime Puren, Zilisten, Zinnat
Netherlands
Aprokam, Cefuroxim Fresenius Kabi, Cefuroxim Hikma, Cefuroxim Navamedic, Cefuroxim Sun, Cefuroximaxetil Sandoz B.V., Cefuroximnatrium Sandoz, Ximaract
Norway
Aprokam, Cefuroxim B. Braun, Cefuroxim Fresenius Kabi, Cefuroxim Mip, Cefuroxim Navamedic, Zinacef
Poland
Aprokam, Biofuroksym, Bioracef, Cefox, Cefuroxim Kabi, Cefuroxim Mip, Cefuroxime Alliance Pharma, Cefuroxime Aristo, Cefuroxime Axetil Aurovitas, Cefuroxime Dali Pharma, Cefuroxime Tzf, Ceroxim, Furocef, Tarsime, Xorimax, Zamur, Zinacef, Zinnat, Zinoxx, Zyntax
Portugal
Antibioxime, Aprokam, Cefuroxima Aurobindo, Cefuroxima Baroque Healthcare Lda., Cefuroxima Basi, Cefuroxima Ccav, Cefuroxima Generis, Cefuroxima Hikma, Cefuroxima Im Hikma, Cefuroxima Iv Hikma, Cefuroxima Labesfal, Cefuroxima Maxmind, Cefuroxima Ratiopharm, Cemoxur, Zipos, Zofiren, Zoref
Romania
Aprokam, Axetine, Ceferoxan, Cefuroxima Atb, Cefuroximă Arena, Cefuroximă Mip, Cefuroximă Swyssi, Zinnat
Slovakia
Aprokam, Axetine, Cefuroxim Kabi, Cefuroxime Swyssi, Furocef, Ximaract, Xorimax, Zinnat, Znobact
Slovenia
Aprokam, Cefuroksim Aptapharma, Ricefan, Zanetin, Zinacef, Zinnat
Spain
Cefuroxima Alter, Cefuroxima Aurovitas, Cefuroxima Cinfa, Cefuroxima Codramol, Cefuroxima Kern Pharma, Cefuroxima Krka, Cefuroxima Normon, Cefuroxima Pensa, Cefuroxima Reig Jofre, Cefuroxima Sala, Cefuroxima Sandoz, Cefuroxima Stada, Cefuroxima Sun, Cefuroxima Tecnigen, Cefuroxima Teva-Ratio, Prokam, Zanetin, Zinnat
Sweden
Aprokam, Cefuroxim Mip, Cefuroxim Navamedic, Ximaract, Zinacef

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cefuroxime Axetil (NorthStar Rx LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2024-04-30. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=fd79c41e-b0e9-47dc-a3ce-caacdc66bc96
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. Wikidata (CC0): ATC J01DC.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.