Cetil 500 mg (Cefuroxime)

Description

Introduction

Cetil 500 mg (Cefuroxime) is a tablet identified as containing 500 mg of cefuroxime. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections when the bacteria are susceptible to it. The choice of antibiotic depends on the infection, medical history and, where relevant, test results.

The exact chemical form of cefuroxime and the inactive ingredients in this product are unspecified. Check the supplied pack and ask a pharmacist if those details matter to you.

What Is It?

Cetil 500 mg is presented as an oral tablet. Its stated active ingredient is cefuroxime, at a strength of 500 mg per tablet. Cefuroxime belongs to the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. It acts against susceptible bacteria and has no activity against viruses that cause illnesses such as colds or flu.

Cefuroxime tablets can differ in their formulation, packaging and directions. A healthcare professional can confirm whether this particular tablet matches a prescribed treatment plan.

How Does It Work?

Cefuroxime interferes with the formation of bacterial cell walls. The wall helps a bacterium maintain its structure. Disrupting its formation can kill bacteria that are susceptible to the medicine.

Not every bacterium is susceptible to cefuroxime. Some are naturally resistant, while resistance can also develop over time. The medicine’s likely effectiveness therefore depends on the organism causing the infection. Where appropriate, a clinician may use laboratory results to guide antibiotic selection.

Common Uses

Oral cefuroxime is used for selected bacterial infections involving the ear, nose and throat, chest, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues. These are general uses of oral cefuroxime; the appropriate indication for Cetil depends on its specific formulation and the clinical circumstances.

Symptoms alone do not always show whether an infection is bacterial. A sore throat, cough or sinus symptoms may have a viral cause. Even when bacteria are involved, another antibiotic may be more appropriate. Ask a healthcare professional for guidance about a particular infection.

Available Strengths

This family is available in 250 mg, 500 mg.

Key Features

• Contains cefuroxime as the stated active ingredient.
• Has a stated strength of 500 mg per tablet.
• Is presented as a tablet for oral use.
• Belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics.
• Acts by disrupting cell-wall formation in susceptible bacteria.
• Its inactive ingredients and exact cefuroxime formulation should be checked on the supplied pack.

Benefits

• Cefuroxime has established antibacterial activity against certain susceptible organisms.
• An oral tablet provides a way to administer cefuroxime when a tablet formulation is appropriate.
• Treating a susceptible bacterial infection may help it resolve. The expected benefit depends on the diagnosis, organism and treatment selected by the clinician.

Possible Side Effects

• Reported effects with oral cefuroxime include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness.
• A rash, itching or hives may be signs of an allergic reaction. Swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty or faintness requires urgent medical attention.
• Severe, persistent, watery or bloody diarrhoea can occur during or after antibiotic treatment and needs prompt assessment.
• Antibiotic treatment can sometimes allow other organisms, including yeast, to overgrow.
• A widespread rash with blistering or skin peeling requires urgent assessment. Discuss any new or concerning symptom with a healthcare professional.

Precautions

• Tell a healthcare professional about any previous reaction to cefuroxime, another cephalosporin, penicillin or another antibiotic.
• Kidney problems may affect how cefuroxime is cleared from the body and may change the treatment plan.
• Discuss pregnancy, plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding before treatment so the clinician can assess the circumstances.
• Report a history of significant diarrhoea or colitis following antibiotic treatment.
• Seek an assessment if symptoms worsen, fail to improve as expected or return after treatment.

Additional Precautions

• Cefuroxime may interfere with certain urine glucose tests, blood glucose tests and the Coombs blood test. Tell the clinician or laboratory about antibiotic use.
• Using an antibiotic for an illness that is not bacterial provides no expected antibacterial benefit and can contribute to resistance.
• Check the supplied pack with a pharmacist if you need to know whether it contains a particular inactive ingredient.
• Do not share an antibiotic with someone else, even if their symptoms appear similar.

Storage Instructions

• Follow the storage directions on the dispensed Cetil pack.
• Keep tablets in their original packaging and protect them from excessive heat and moisture unless a pharmacist advises otherwise.
• Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
• Check the expiry date. Ask a pharmacist how to dispose of expired or unwanted tablets.

How to Take

• Follow the directions given by the prescriber and printed on the dispensed pack.
• Ask a pharmacist before crushing or splitting a tablet; whether this is appropriate for Cetil is unspecified.
• The 500 mg strength alone does not determine the amount, timing or duration of treatment. These depend on the infection and individual clinical factors.
• Ask a pharmacist what to do if a dose is missed or if vomiting occurs after a dose.
• Contact a healthcare professional if the treatment cannot be completed as directed or concerning symptoms develop.

Drug Interactions

• Give the prescriber or pharmacist a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements.
• Interactions reported for some oral cefuroxime formulations include reduced absorption with medicines that lower stomach acidity and increased cefuroxime exposure with probenecid. Ask a pharmacist whether these apply to Cetil.
• If taking a combined oral contraceptive, ask a pharmacist whether any additional advice applies during antibiotic treatment.
• Do not assume that interaction or administration instructions for a different cefuroxime product apply to this tablet.

Why Choose This Product?

• It provides cefuroxime in a stated 500 mg oral tablet strength.
• Cefuroxime has a recognised role in treating selected infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
• The tablet may match a treatment plan when a clinician has selected this product and strength.
• A pharmacist can check the dispensed pack for its full ingredients and directions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the active ingredient?

The stated active ingredient is cefuroxime. The stated strength is 500 mg per tablet.

Is Cetil an antibiotic?

Yes. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic that acts against certain susceptible bacteria.

Does it treat colds or flu?

No. Cefuroxime does not treat the viruses that cause colds or flu.

Which infections may oral cefuroxime treat?

Selected bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, chest, urinary tract, skin or soft tissues. A healthcare professional must decide whether Cetil is appropriate.

Is 500 mg the dose for everyone?

No. Tablet strength does not establish an individual dose or treatment duration. Follow the prescriber’s directions.

Can the tablet be crushed?

Ask a pharmacist before crushing or splitting Cetil. Product-specific instructions are unspecified.

What if diarrhoea occurs?

Mild diarrhoea can occur. Severe, persistent, watery or bloody diarrhoea needs prompt medical assessment.

Can Cetil interact with other medicines?

Interactions are possible. A pharmacist can review all medicines being used and the exact Cetil formulation.

What if I have a penicillin allergy?

Tell the prescriber about the reaction before using Cetil. A history of serious allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins needs clinical assessment.

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