INFORMATION FOR THE USER Cefuroxime Axapharm

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine. This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to
others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
Cefuroxime Axapharm ®
What Cefuroxime Axapharm is and what it is used for
Cefuroxime Axapharm is an antibiotic, the use of which kills bacteria
that cause infections. Cefuroxime Axapharm is suitable for the
treatment of infection of the ear, nose and throat, the airways,
sexual organs, skin and soft tissues.
It may be taken only with a doctor‘s prescription.
Before you take Cefuroxime Axapharm
Do not forget that this medicine was prescribed for you to treat
your current illness. It must not be used to treat other illnesses and
not be passed on to other persons.
The antibiotic contained in Cefuroxime Axapharm cannot be used
indiscriminately against all microorganisms that cause infectious
diseases. To prevent the protracted complications that can be
caused by an incorrectly chosen or incorrectly dosed anti-infectious
agent, you should also not use Cefuroxime Axapharm for new
infections at a later date without a doctor‘s prescription.
Do not take Cefuroxime Axapharm
- if you have presumed or known hypersensitivity to
cephalosporin antibiotics.
- you must tell the doctor if you have presumed or known
allergy to penicillin.
Take special care with Cefuroxime Axapharm
This medicine can impair reactions and thus impair the ability to
drive vehicles and to used tools or machines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin, you must inform
your doctor of this. Also tell your doctor if you have a generally
tendency to allergies. If difficulty in breathing, a feeling of constriction
in the chest, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, skin rash (red
spots), swelling of the skin, nettle rash or very severe diarrhoea occurs
during the treatment, you should inform your doctor immediately
before continuing with the Cefuroxime Axapharm therapy.
Medicines taken for excessive stomach acid production may alter
the action of Cefuroxime Axapharm.
If you are taking an oral contraceptive (pill), it is possible that its
efficacy may be reduced during antibiotic therapy. This information
also applies to Cefuroxime Axapharm. Consequently, additional
contraceptive measures should be taken.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you
- are suffering from other diseases
- have allergies or
- are taking other medicines, including those used externally
and those obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. Only
in cases of urgent necessity is the use of Cefuroxime Axapharm
indicated during pregnancy and especially during the first three
months. Cefuroxime Axapharm passes into breast milk in small
amounts.
How to use Cefuroxime Axapharm
Please keep strictly to the dose and duration of treatment stipulated
by your doctor and in no case stop the treatment without a
doctor‘s permission.
Cefuroxime Axapharm should be taken with meals.
Swallow the film-coated tablets with a little fluid without chewing
(due to the bitter taste).
Unless prescribed otherwise by your doctor, the following dosage
guidelines apply:
Adults and adolescents over 12 years:
Normally 1 film-coated tablet of 250 mg each morning and evening
(every 12 hours). For certain infections: 1 film-coated tablet of
500 mg each morning and evening (every 12 hours).
Children from 5 years (with a body weight of at least 20 kg) to 12 years:
In children from 5 years (with a body weight of at least 20 kg) to 12
years, Cefuroxime Axapharm may be used only to treat middle ear
inflammation or severe infections. In cases of middle ear inflammation
or severe infection, the dose is 1 film-coated tablet of 250 mg
twice daily. This dose must not be exceeded.
Children under 5 years:
Cefuroxime Axapharm is not suitable for the treatment of children
under 5 years.
In certain cases the doctor may prescribe a different dose for you.
Do not yourself change the prescribed dose if you think that the
medicine is working too weakly or too strongly, but speak to your
doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects of Cefuroxime Axapharm
The following side effects may arise when taking Cefuroxime
Axapharm:
Gastrointestinal disorders such as abdominal pain, heartburn,
nausea and vomiting, or headaches and dizziness may occur occasionally.
In such cases it is usually not necessary to stop taking
Cefuroxime Axapharm. However, you should tell your doctor or
pharmacist about it.
Stop taking Cefuroxime Axapharm and inform your doctor as
quickly as possible if one or more of the following symptoms occurs:
severe nausea, severe diarrhoea or considerable stomach pain;
bleeding from the back passage; onset of a yellow colour of the
skin or eyes.
If difficulty in breathing, a feeling of constriction in the chest, swelling
of the eyelids, face or lips, skin rash (red spots), swelling of the
skin or nettle rash occurs, you should inform your doctor immediately
and only continuing taking Cefuroxime Axapharm if expressly
ordered by your doctor.
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your
doctor or pharmacist.

Further information
In diabetics, the blood sugar assays may show false-positive results
if methods based on the reduction of copper are used (e.g. Fehling,
Benedict, Clinitest); an enzyme test should therefore be used.
If your illness treated with Cefuroxime Axapharm has not improved
significantly or disappeared after finishing a pack of the medicine,
you should inform your doctor immediately.
After completing the treatment, please return the pack with the remaining
contents to your doctor or pharmacist for correct disposal.
Your doctor or pharmacist can give you further information. They
have access to extensive technical information.
Cefuroxime Axapharm film-coated tablets should be stored in the
closed original pack at room temperature (15–25°C) out of the reach
of children.
Do not use the medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack
after «EXP.».
What Cefuroxime Axapharm contains
1 Cefuroxime Axapharm film-coated tablet of 250 mg contains:
250 mg cefuroxime in the form of cefuroxime axetil and excipients.
1 Cefuroxime Axapharm film-coated tablet of 500 mg contains:
500 mg cefuroxime in the form of cefuroxime axetil and excipients.
Marketing authorisation number
58,694 (Swissmedic)
Where Cefuroxime Axapharm can be obtained and available
pack sizes
Available in pharmacies on non-repeat medical prescription.
Cefuroxime Axapharm 250 mg: pack with 14 film-coated tablets.
Cefuroxime Axapharm 500 mg: pack with 14 film-coated tablets.
Marketing authorisation holder
Axapharm AG, 6340 Baar
This patient information leaflet was last checked by the Medicines
Agency (Swissmedic) in October 2008.