Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cefuroxime for Injection, USP (Hikma Canada)
What Cefuroxime for Injection, USP is used for:
- Cefuroxime for Injection, USP is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria in many different parts of the body.
- Cefuroxime for Injection, USP can also be used to prevent infections, before and after surgery.
- Antibacterial drugs like Cefuroxime for Injection, USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.
How Cefuroxime for Injection, USP works:
Cefuroxime for Injection, USP is an antibiotic, which belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. Cefuroxime for Injection, USP works by killing bacteria that cause infections in the body.
The ingredients in Cefuroxime for Injection, USP are:
Medicinal ingredients: cefuroxime sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: None
Cefuroxime for Injection, USP comes in the following dosage forms:
Sterile powder for injection: 750 mg / 10 mL vial, 1.5 g / 20 mL vial, 7.5 g / 100 mL vial.
Do not use Cefuroxime for Injection, USP if:
- You are allergic to cefuroxime or to cephalosporin antibiotics.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Cefuroxime for Injection, USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- are allergic to or react badly to penicillins or other antibiotics.
- have kidney problems, as your healthcare professional may reduce your dose.
- have a history of bowel disease, particularly colitis.
- are taking other antibiotics called aminoglycosides, such as streptomycin, neomycin, gentamicin and tobramycin.
are taking “water pills” or diuretics used to lower high blood pressure, such as furosemide and
- ethacrynic acid.
- are having a urine test for sugar as Cefuroxime for Injection, USP can affect the results.
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Cefuroxime for Injection, USP is passed into breast milk. Discuss whether you should breastfeed while taking Cefuroxime for Injection, USP with your health care professional.
Other warnings you should know about:
Driving and using machines: Cefuroxime for Injection, USP can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are feeling dizzy.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Cefuroxime for Injection, USP:
- Diuretics or “water pills” used to lower high blood pressure, such as furosemide and ethacrynic acid.
How to take Cefuroxime for Injection, USP:
- Cefuroxime for Injection, USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional who will inject it into a vein.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, Cefuroxime for Injection, USP should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of Cefuroxime for Injection, USP could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by Cefuroxime for Injection, USP (resistance). This means that Cefuroxime for Injection, USP may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide how much, how often and for how long you will receive Cefuroxime for Injection, USP.
Overdose:
Missed Dose:
If you miss an appointment to receive an injection of Cefuroxime for Injection, USP contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Possible side effects from using Cefuroxime for Injection, USP:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Cefuroxime for Injection, USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Cefuroxime for Injection, USP, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
- Drowsiness, feeling faint
- Loose stool
- Sweating
- Pain and stiffness at the injection site
Cefuroxime for Injection, USP can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and interpret the results. Also, tell any healthcare professionals you see before having blood work that you are taking Cefuroxime for Injection, USP as it may affect your results.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Rare | ||||||
Yeast infection of the skin: redness, burning and itching in the skin folds, commonly in the groin, under the breasts and in the arm pit | x | |||||
Pseudomembranous colitis: watery, bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, abdominal cramps and pain, fever | x | |||||
| Very Rare | ||||||
Allergic Reaction: wheeziness and tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, or develop skin lumps or hives, or a skin rash (red spots), high fever. | x | |||||
Skin Reaction: skin rash, which may blister, and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge), widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling on much of the body, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals. | x | |||||
Heart palpitations: fast, slow or irregular heartbeat | X | |||||
Kidney problems: decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of extremities, fatigue | X | |||||
Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | X | |||||
| Anemia: fatigue, loss of energy, weakness, shortness of breath | X | |||||
Low levels of white blood cells: infection, fatigue, fever, aches, pain, flu-like symptoms | X | |||||
Phlebitis: swelling of a vein near the injection site, with pain, tenderness, redness | x | |||||
| Unknown | ||||||
Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
| x | |||||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Storage:
Cefuroxime for Injection, USP will be stored by your healthcare professional at room temperature (15 °C and 30 °C) in a dry place, protected from light.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about Cefuroxime for Injection, USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); or the manufacturer’s website (https://www.hikma.com), or by calling 1-800-656-0793.
Last Revised: OCT 6, 2025
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.