Cefuroxime Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Cefuroxime

Brand Name: cefuroxime axetil, Ceftin, cefuroxime sodium, Kefurox, Zinacef

Pregnancy Category B

Drug classes: Antibiotic, Cephalosporin (second generation)

Therapeutic actions

Bactericidal: inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death.

Indications

Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, Skin Infections

· Treatment of early Lyme disease

Contraindications and cautions

· Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins, renal failure, lactation, pregnancy

Adverse effects

Headache, dizziness, lethargy, paresthesias, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, pseudomembranous colitis, liver toxicity, Nephrotoxicity, bone marrow depression, decreased WBC, decreased platelets, decreased Hct, Ranging from rash to fever to anaphylaxis, serum sickness reaction, Pain, abscess at injection site, phlebitis, inflammation at IV site, Superinfections, disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol

Drug Interactions:

· Increased nephrotoxicity with aminoglycosides

· Increased bleeding effects with oral anticoagulants

Nursing considerations

· Culture infection, arrange for sensitivity tests before and during therapy if expected response is not seen.

· Give oral drug with food to decrease GI upset and enhance absorption.

· Give oral drug to children who can swallow tablets; crushing the drug results in a bitter, unpleasant taste.

· Have vitamin K available in case hypoprothrombinemia occurs.

· Discontinue if hypersensitivity reaction occurs.