Last update: Sept. 2, 2021

Cefuroxime

Very Low Risk for breastfeeding


Safe. Compatible.
Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Second-generation cephalosporin for oral or parenteral administration in two daily doses.

Like most cephalosporins for which data are available, excretion occurs in breast milk in very small amount and it is clinically insignificant (Kiriazopoulos 2017, Nakamura 1987, Amiraslanova 1985, Voropaeva 1982).
No problems have been observed in infants whose mothers have taken it (Benyamini 2005).

Intravenously administered Cefuroxime salt is not orally absorbed.

Cephalosporins are widely used in the Pediatric practice with a good tolerance (Powell 1991), even in the neonatal period, so it is very unlikely that in small amounts through milk would be a cause of problems in the infant.

Although rare, the possibility of transient gastroenteritis due to alteration of the intestinal flora in infants whose mothers take antibiotics should be taken into account (Benyamini 2005, Ito 1993).

Expert authors consider the use of this medication safe during breastfeeding (Hale, Lactmed, Briggs 2015, Schaefer 2015, Rowe 2013).

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Cefuroxime since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM´s pediatricians and pharmacists, and are based on updated scientific publications.
It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Cefuroxime is also known as


Cefuroxime in other languages or writings:

Groups

Cefuroxime belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Cefuroxime in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 30 - 50 %
Molecular weight 424 daltons
Protein Binding 35 - 50 %
VD 0,33 l/Kg
pKa 3,15 -
Tmax 0,75 - 3 hours
T1/2 1,1 - 1,5 hours
Theoretical Dose 0,22 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 1,3 - 2,6 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0,2 %

References

  1. Kiriazopoulos E, Zaharaki S, Vonaparti A, Vourna P, Panteri-Petratou E, Gennimata D, Lombardo K, Panderi I. Quantification of three beta-lactam antibiotics in breast milk and human plasma by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/positive-ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Drug Test Anal. 2017 Jul;9(7):1062-1072. Abstract
  2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  3. Schaefer C, Peters P, Miller RK. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation. Treatment options and risk assessment. Elsevier, Third Edition. 2015
  4. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  5. Benyamini L, Merlob P, Stahl B, Braunstein R, Bortnik O, Bulkowstein M, Zimmerman D, Berkovitch M. The safety of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefuroxime during lactation. Ther Drug Monit. 2005 Abstract
  6. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract
  7. Powell DA, James NC, Ossi MJ, Nahata MC, Donn KH. Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime axetil suspension in infants and children. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Vree TB, Hekster YA. Pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of cefuroxime. Pharm Weekbl Sci. 1990 Abstract
  9. Nakamura T, Hashimoto I, Sawada Y, Mikami J. [Clinical studies on cefuroxime axetil in acute mastitis]. Jpn J Antibiot. 1987 Abstract
  10. Voropaeva SD, Emel'ianova AI, Ankirskaia AS, Minasova GS, Saakian SS. [Effectiveness of using cefuroxime in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic]. Antibiotiki. 1982 Abstract
  11. Hale TW. Hale's Medications & Mothers' Milk. [Internet]. Springer Publishing Company; 1991-. Available from: https://www.halesmeds.com None
  12. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ None Full text (link to original source)

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