Infections caused by bacteria can lead to medical conditions. Of the many forms of bacteria, it is the pathogenic-form of bacteria that causes infectious diseases. Also, not all forms of these microorganisms are known to cause problems. For instance, your intestinal tract is home to many forms of bacteria, and not all of them cause diseases. Drugs are often administered to treat such infections. Cefuroxime is one of the widely administered antibacterial medications. How long does it take for cefuroxime to work? It helps to understand this in greater detail.
Antibiotics are medications used for the treatment of bacterial infections. These meds can either stop the further growth of bacterial strands or kill these organisms. You need to remember that antibiotics cannot treat viral infections as well as those caused by yeast or fungi. Hence, if you are down with common cold or flu (essentially a virus-induced condition), your caregiver is unlikely to prescribe an antibiotic. As the signs of bacterial and viral infections are the same, it takes expertise to detect the underlying cause.
Most antibiotic drugs are taken through the oral route. However, if infections are very severe, an injection i.e., intravenous route is taken. Also, antibiotics are of many types. Each type differs from the other in terms of how the key ingredients work, the spectrum of action, molecular structure, etc. Some medications target the membranes of bacterial cells while a few focus on the very walls of the microbes’ cells.
So, what is cefuroxime?
This medication is used for treating infections triggered by bacteria. This drug is effective in treating respiratory conditions like bronchitis, skin-based infections, urinary tract infections, sinusitis, etc. This drug is grouped under a genre of medications called cephalosporin-antibiotics. The key ingredients of this med can stop further progression of bacterial strands.
This med is available both as a liquid or suspended form and also as a pill. The typical dosage plan is once every 12-hours, for a week’s time. In case of acute infections, dosage plans extend to about 10 days’ time. It is important to take this drug at the same timeslot every day. It is unsafe to take added doses of cefuroxime as it can lead to an overdosed condition.
How long does it take for cefuroxime to work?
It takes nearly 2 days (or 48 hours) for this drug to work. In most cases, your caregiver is likely to administer it with a few other meds. One of the commonly co-administered meds is drugs that decrease acids in your gastric tract. After each dose of cefuroxime, its effects may last for 5 – 6 hours’ time.
If you develop abdominal problems after taking cefuroxime, you are advised to take this med along with food. Those who took cefuroxime along with a meal noticed lesser or no stomach problems. The rate of absorption of key chemicals of cefuroxime tends to increase when taken along with food. Cefuroxime can treat bacterial infections in different organs or parts of your system. This med has a higher success rate of treating infections than many other meds in this category.
Precautions you need to stay aware of while using cefuroxime
If you have earlier episodes of allergies or hypersensitivity to this cephalosporin-antibiotic, you need to tell your doctor of such conditions. Users of cefuroxime may develop a few common side effects like discharge of loose stools, abdominal pain, vomiting and / or nausea.
In a few instances, users have developed a few severe, undesired outcomes. These include altered output of urine, yellowish tint on skin, being tired, feeling weak, etc. Upon sensing these discomforts, call 911 or rush to a poison control unit (in Canada).
In order to know more about how long does it take for cefuroxime to work for sinus infection, it is a good practice to talk to your caregiver.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Florida. Experience: 5 years as a pharmacist and medical writer, creating content on medication management and pharmaceutical news for healthcare blogs and patient education sites.