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What Is Cefuroxime Axetil Used For?
If you have a bacterial infection, you may benefit from cefuroxime axetil. Uses of this medication include treatment of tonsillitis, strep throat, ear infections, skin infections, and bronchitis, to name a few. This prescription medication works by preventing the bacteria from forming cell walls. It is approved for use in both adults and children (as young as three months old).
Cefuroxime axetil (Ceftin®) is a prescription antibiotic that comes in the form of tablets and an oral suspension (liquid). The two different products are approved for different uses.
Cefuroxime axetil oral suspension is approved to treat the following infections in children 3 months through 12 years of age:
- Tonsillitis (tonsil infection) or pharyngitis ("strep throat") caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria
- Ear infections
- Impetigo (a common skin infection).
The tablet form of cefuroxime axetil is approved for a broader range of uses, including the treatment of the following infections:
- Tonsillitis (tonsil infection) or pharyngitis ("strep throat") caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Bronchitis
- Skin and skin structure infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs, such as bladder infections)
- Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection
- Lyme disease in its early stages.
Cefuroxime axetil is approved for treating the infections listed above only when they are caused by certain types of bacteria. Not all bacteria will respond to this medicine. Also, bacteria have different resistance patterns in different regions of the country. This means that some bacteria may be susceptible to cefuroxime axetil in certain parts of the country but not in others. Cefuroxime axetil is completely ineffective for treating viral illnesses (such as the common cold or the flu).
In some situations, your healthcare provider may perform certain tests to see if your particular infection is susceptible or resistant to cefuroxime axetil. In other situations, your healthcare provider may decide to try cefuroxime axetil without such tests, especially for infections that are not severe.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD