Adult

Cefuroxime

General Information

Second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic

Do NOT use if patient has a history of severe penicillin allergy.  If in doubt, discuss with Micro/ID.

Restricted formulary antimicrobial: For details see OUH netFormulary

AWaRe antibiotic classification: 'Watch'. Use as per guidelines. All other indications to be discussed with Micro/ID.

For all information regarding interactions, contraception, pregnancy and breastfeeding and additional information, see BNF and Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC).

Dosing

  Intravenous dose
Standard dose

750mg TDS-QDS
Severe infection

1.5g TDS-QDS

Renal and hepatic impairment

Renal impairment

eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2)

Intravenous dose

Over 20

Dose as in normal renal function

10-20

750mg-1.5g BD

Less than 10

750mg-1.5g OD

HD/HDF/High Flux/PD

 

Dialysed; give post-dialysis on dialysis days

Dose as in eGFR less than 10 mL/min/1.73m2

 

Note: Doses are based on Renal Drug Database

 

Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment required

References

  1. Flynn Pharma Ltd. Cefuroxime 750mg powder for solution for injection or infusion summary of product characteristics. Electronic medicines compendium. Last revision of the text 15/8/25. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk Accessed 20/3/26.
  2. British National Formulary. Cefuroxime. BNF online accessed via www.medicinescomplete.com Accessed 20/3/26.
  3. The Renal Drug Database. Cefuroxime. Last updated 30/8/23. Accessed via https://renaldrugdatabase.com Accessed 20/3/26.
  4. Sanford Guide [online]. Cefuroxime. Last updated 13/3/26. Accessed via https://webedition.sanfordguide.com. Accessed 20/3/26.
  5. All-Wales Antimicrobial Pharmacists’ Group (2022) Antimicrobial dosing in extremes of body weight in adults. Accessed 20/3/26.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 20 Mar 2026

Next review date: 19 Mar 2029

Author(s): AMST.