Zinacef

Pronunciation: SEF-ue-ROX-eem
Generic Name: Cefuroxime
Brand Name: Zinacef

Zinacef is used for:

Treating bacterial infections or preventing bacterial infections before, during, or after certain surgeries.

Zinacef is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Zinacef if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zinacef or to any other cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zinacef:

Some medical conditions may interact with Zinacef. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)


• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, or poor nutrition

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zinacef. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aminoglycosides (eg, tobramycin) or diuretics (eg, furosemide) because the risk of kidney problems may be increased


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zinacef

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zinacef may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zinacef:

Use Zinacef as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Zinacef is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Zinacef at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Zinacef. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• To clear up your infection completely, use Zinacef for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.


• Do not use Zinacef if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Zinacef, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zinacef.

Important safety information:

• Zinacef only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).


• Be sure to use Zinacef for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Long-term or repeated use of Zinacef may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.


• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur during treatment or within several months after treatment with Zinacef. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.


• Diabetes patients - Zinacef may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Zinacef may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Zinacef.


• Lab tests, including kidney function, may be performed while you use Zinacef. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Zinacef with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Zinacef should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 months old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• Use Zinacef with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zinacef while you are pregnant. Zinacef is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zinacef, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zinacef:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black or bloody stools; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing loss; seizures; severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal irritation or discharge; vein swelling at the injection site; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Zinacef side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include seizures.

Proper storage of Zinacef:

Zinacef is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Zinacef at home, store Zinacef as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zinacef, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Zinacef is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zinacef. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Zinacef resources

• Zinacef Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zinacef Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Zinacef Drug Interactions
• Zinacef Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Zinacef - Add your own review/rating

• Zinacef Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zinacef Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Cefuroxime Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Ceftin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ceftin Consumer Overview


• Ceftin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Cefuroxime Axetil Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Zinacef with other medications

• Bacterial Infection
• Bladder Infection
• Bone infection
• Bronchitis
• Epiglottitis
• Gonococcal Infection, Disseminated
• Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated
• Impetigo
• Joint Infection
• Kidney Infections
• Lyme Disease
• Meningitis
• Otitis Media
• Peritonitis
• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Sinusitis
• Skin and Structure Infection
• Skin Infection
• Strep Throat
• Surgical Prophylaxis
• Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
• Urinary Tract Infection