Can I take cefuroxime if I want to get pregnant? | Cefuroxime during pregnancy

Can I take cefuroxime if I want to get pregnant?

Cefuroxime does not affect fertility and can therefore also be used if you wish to become pregnant. Furthermore, it does not cause any damage during the implantation of the pregnancy.

What happens if you become pregnant while taking cefuroxime?

If you become pregnant while taking cefuroxime, you do not need to worry about the integrity of the pregnancy at first. However, during the first trimester of pregnancy, the intake must be carefully weighed. You should therefore inform your doctor about your pregnancy so that he or she can discuss with you whether or not you need to continue taking cefuroxime. If necessary, the medication will be discontinued or switched to another one. The therapy with cefuroxime can also be continued if necessary.

Dosage

Cefuroxime is one of the antibiotics that can be taken during pregnancy without harming the child or the mother. In the first three months, the antibiotic should only be taken under strict prescription by a doctor, as the risk of harm is highest here. The standard dosage of cefuroxime is 250 – 500 mg twice daily for a period of five to ten days.

Depending on the severity of the infection and the organ system affected, the dosage is adjusted, therefore no general information can be given here. A mild infection of the upper respiratory tract is usually treated with a dosage of two times 250 mg daily, whereas pneumonia, for example, may require a dosage of two times 500 mg daily. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women are treated with a lower dosage of twice 125 mg daily. However, the dosage of the drug is always an individual decision and depends on the type of infection and the severity of the disease. In addition, if the kidney function is reduced, the dose must be adjusted.

Side effects

Cefuroxime, whether administered orally or venously, is considered a well tolerated antibiotic. Side effects occur particularly when high doses of cefuroxime are taken. Typical for cefuroxime axetil are diarrhoea due to a disturbance of the intestinal flora.

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness may also occur. The side effects can often be reduced by taking it during or after meals. Another advantage of ingestion while eating is the better absorption of cefuroxime into the blood and a better effectiveness.

Venously administered cefuroxime can also cause disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea). Before taking or administering cefuroxime, it is important to check whether there is a penicillin allergy. In about 5% of cases, people with such an allergy also react allergic to cefuroxime.

This can lead to sometimes severe skin changes with redness and blistering or to painful inflammation of the vessels. Side effects in the form of complaints of the gastrointestinal tract are usually rare during therapy with cefuroxime. However, if one should suffer from diarrhoea, the treating physician must be informed immediately.

Diarrhoea can lead to a considerable loss of fluid and thus cause complications. Especially during pregnancy this must be prevented. If diarrhoea is present, another antibiotic may be chosen if necessary.