Cefuroxime (SXP)™
Active ingredients: Cefuroxime
Consumer medicine information
Read the CMI leaflet (Opens in new tab) for facts you need to know before, during and after taking your medicine.
For more information about CMIs and how to read them, please visit How to read Consumer Medicine Information (CMI).
What this medicine is used for
CEFUROXIME SXP is indicated in adults and children of 40 kg or greater in weight for the prevention of infections associated with certain surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal (including oesophageal), orthopaedic, cardiovascular and gynaecological systems (including caesarean section) (see SECTION 4.4: SPECIAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR USE and SECTION 5.2: PHARMACOKINETIC PROPERTIES).,In the prevention of infections in which it is very likely that anaerobic organisms will be encountered, cefuroxime should be administered with additional appropriate antibacterial agents such as metronidazole.,Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents, as antibiotic prophylaxis is not required in all gastrointestinal, orthopaedic, cardiovascular and gynaecological procedures or surgeries.,For patients with specific cardiac conditions which predispose them to endocarditis who are undergoing abdominal surgery for which surgical antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated, the prophylaxis regimen should additionally include an antibiotic active against enterococci.,For patients undergoing orthopedic or cardiovascular surgery known to be, or at risk of being, colonised or infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), add an antibiotic with activity against MRSA, such as vancomycin.,CEFUROXIME SXP is not indicated in children less than 40 kg in weight.
Source: ARTG
Storage conditions
- Shelf lifetime is 24 Months
- Store below 25 degrees Celsius
Source: ARTG
How to use this medicine
Non-composite pack
This medicine contains one component only.
Component
- Injection, powder for
- Intravenous
- White or almost white to yellowish powder
Source: ARTG
Do I need a prescription?
These medicine packs are available from a pharmacist and requires a prescription. It is Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine.
- 10
- 5 vials
Source: ARTG
Is this medicine subsidised?
This medicine is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Talk to your pharmacist about how much it will cost.
Source: PBS
Pregnant or planning a pregnancy?
For the active ingredient: Cefuroxime
You should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist about taking this medicine. They can help you balance the risks and the benefits of this medicine during pregnancy.
Source: AHT
Reporting side effects
If you experience a side effect from this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Or report it directly to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at Report an adverse event or safety problem (Opens in new tab)
Source: ARTG
Data sources
- Australian Health Thesaurus (AHT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Medicines Terminology (AMT) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 3 August 2026
- Medicines Information Pty Ltd (Opens in new tab) – Last updated on 4 March 2026
Disclaimer
Healthdirect medicines information is not intended for use in an emergency. If you are suffering an acute illness, overdose, or emergency condition, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Reasonable care has been taken to provide accurate information at the time of creation. This information is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to manage or diagnose a medical condition. Please refer to our terms and conditions (Opens in new tab).
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