Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Nu-Cefuroxime
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
The name of your medicine is NU-CEFUROXIME. It contains cefuroxime axetil. This medicine is similar to other medicines called cephalosporins, which are antibiotics.
What it does:
Your doctor has prescribed NU-CEFUROXIME because you have an infection. NU-CEFUROXIME is used to kill the bacteria or "germs" which cause infections. The infection can be cleared up if you take your medication in the proper way.
When it should not be used:
You should not use NU-CEFUROXIME if you are allergic to cephalosporins. Tell your doctor also if you are allergic to or react badly to penicillins or other antibiotics.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding a baby. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, your doctor may decide not to prescribe this medicine, although, there may be circumstances when your doctor advises you differently.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
The active ingredient in NU-CEFUROXIME is cefuroxime axetil.
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
In addition to cefuroxime axetil, NU-CEFUROXIME contains the following non-medicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
NU-CEFUROXIME is available as tablets for oral use in two strengths, which contain 250mg and 500mg of cefuroxime (as cefuroxime axetil), supplied in packages of 60, 100 and 250.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Before starting NU-CEFUROXIME and to get the best possible treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic to cephalosporins.
- react badly to penicillins or other antibiotics.
- are pregnant or breast feeding a baby.
As this medicine may cause dizziness, you should be cautious when driving or operating machinery.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Drugs which reduce gastric acidity may decrease the effectiveness of NU-CEFUROXIME.
Cefuroxime axetil may lower estrogen reabsorption and reduced efficacy of combined oral contraceptives.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose:
You must take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. If you are not sure how many tablets to take, or how often to take them, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
YOU SHOULD NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE THE PRESCRIBED DOSE UNLESS ADVISED BY YOUR DOCTOR.
The usual dose for adults is one 250 mg tablet twice a day. NU-CEFUROXIME tablets are not recommended for infants and children less than 12 years of age.
NU-CEFUROXIME has a bitter taste, therefore, do not chew or crush the tablets but swallow each one whole with a drink of water.
NU-CEFUROXIME Tablets are more effective if taken after food.
The usual length of treatment is 7 - 10 days, although your doctor may adjust the prescription to suit your treatment. During the course of treatment, all the tablets must be taken to make sure that all germs have been killed. For β-hemolytic streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for at least 10 days.
CONTINUE TAKING THE TABLETS UNTIL THEY ARE FINISHED, EVEN IF YOU BEGIN TO FEEL BETTER. Page 26 of 26
If your doctor decides to stop the treatment, do not keep any left over medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Please discard all unused NU-CEFUROXIME Tablets.
REMEMBER: This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
Overdose:
It is important to follow the dosage instructions on the label of your medicine. Taking more than this dose is unlikely to be dangerous unless a large quantity of tablets is taken all at once. In this case, contact your doctor or nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as possible. Then continue with the normal dose. Do not double doses.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
If you experience wheeziness and tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, or develop skin lumps or hives, or a skin rash (red spots), tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. He may decide to stop your treatment.
You may experience diarrhea, vomiting or symptoms that you do not understand. There is no need to stop taking your tablets, but you should tell your doctor of any of these symptoms as soon as possible. Other symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness, itching, shortness of breath, and fever.
If you feel worse or you have taken all the tablets and do not feel better TELL YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking NU-CEFUROXIME, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store tablets between 15ºC and 30ºC. Keep in tightly closed container.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
Report online at
www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
- Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701C Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, please contact your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
This leaflet plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Nu-Pharm, Inc. at:
1-800-267-1438
Date of Revision: October 20, 2009