CEFUROXIME SXP

CEFUROXIME SXP

Active ingredient(s): cefuroxime sodium

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Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using CEFUROXIME SXP. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using CEFUROXIME SXP.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I being given CEFUROXIME SXP?
2. What should I know before I am given CEFUROXIME SXP?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How am I given CEFUROXIME SXP?
5. What should I know while be given CEFUROXIME SXP?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I being given CEFUROXIME SXP?

CEFUROXIME SXP contains the active ingredient cefuroxime sodium. CEFUROXIME SXP is a cephalosporin antibiotic which targets a wide range of common bacteria. This medicine works by killing the bacteria causing an infection or preventing bacterial growth.

CEFUROXIME SXP is used to prevent infections during surgery.

2. What should I know before I am given CEFUROXIME SXP?

Warnings

You should not be given CEFUROXIME SXP if:

• you are allergic to cefuroxime sodium, penicillins, other beta-lactams or any other cephalosporin antibiotics.
  Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath.

Check with your doctor if you:

• have any have allergies to any other medicines, food, preservative or dyes.
• have or have had any kidney problems. Extra caution in the elderly or with patients with kidney conditions may be required.
• take any medicines for any other condition.
• are having any blood tests, as this medicine may interfere with the results.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

There is no experimental evidence of birth defects attributable to CEFUROXIME SXP however; all medicines should be administered with caution.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. CEFUROXIME SXP is passed through breast milk in small amounts.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with CEFUROXIME SXP and affect how it works. These include:

• combined oral contraceptives
• water tablets (diuretics), such as furosemide
• aminoglycoside-type antibiotics

If you are not sure whether you are taking any of these medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking CEFUROXIME SXP.

4. How am I given CEFUROXIME SXP?

How much am I given?

• Your doctor will decide on the dose and length of time that you will receive CEFUROXIME SXP.
• CEFUROXIME SXP must only be given by a doctor or a nurse.

How am I given CEFUROXIME SXP?

• CEFUROXIME SXP can be given in two ways:
  – as an injection into a vein; or
  – as a drip (intravenous infusion)
• CEFUROXIME SXP is generally given alone although sometimes your doctor may prescribe it in combination with another type of antibiotic called an aminoglycoside or together with an antibacterial agent called metronidazole.

If too much CEFUROXIME SXP is given

As CEFUROXIME SXP is administered by a doctor or nurse, it is unlikely that you will be given too much.

If you think that you have been given too much CEFUROXIME SXP, you may need urgent medical attention.

Symptoms of an overdose may include convulsions.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while being given CEFUROXIME SXP?

Things you should do

If you are about to started on any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you have been given CEFUROXIME SXP.

Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you have been given this medicine.

If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are using this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.

If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any kidney problems.

Call your doctor straight away if you:

• If you become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how CEFUROXIME SXP affects you.

CEFUROXIME SXP may cause drowsiness, dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Looking after your medicine

CEFUROXIME SXP is stored in a hospital ward or pharmacy in a dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects	What to do
white furry, sore tongue and mouth (oral thrush) sore, itchy vagina and/or discharge (vaginal thrush) swelling and redness along the vein drowsiness, dizziness or light-headedness swelling, pain or tenderness at the injection site nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain tendency to bruise or bleed easily rash or itchy skin headache, dizziness	Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects

What to do

chills or fever, which may be accompanied by shivering ringing in the ears or hearing loss low blood pressure prolonged or severe diarrhoea or stomach cramps signs of an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin severe skin reactions chest pain seizure limb weakness or numbness loss of memory, vision, and/or intellect severe headache or migraine behavioural changes sexual dysfunction anxiety, depression, or other psychiatric disorders altered sensation, tingling, or numbness

Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription and it is not addictive.

What CEFUROXIME SXP contains

Active ingredient (main ingredient)	Cefuroxime sodium
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients)	None

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to cefuroxime sodium.

This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.

What CEFUROXIME SXP looks like

CEFUROXIME SXP is supplied in vials which contain 750 mg or 1.5 g of cefuroxime sodium powder for injection or infusion.

CEFUROXIME SXP 750 mg injection is a white or almost white to yellowish powder (AUST R 310373)

CEFUROXIME SXP 1500 mg injection vial is a white or almost white to yellowish powder (AUST R 310375)

Who distributes CEFUROXIME SXP

Southern XP Pty Ltd
Unit 5/118 Church Street
Hawthorn, 3122, Victoria
Australia

Sponsor:
Southern XP IP Pty Ltd
Unit 5/118 Church Street
Hawthorn, 3122, Victoria
Australia

This leaflet was prepared in November 2023.