Is Cefuroxime compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime

October 15, 2016 (Very Low Risk)

Second-generation cephalosporin for oral and injection or parenteral administration.

Like most cephalosporins for which data are available, excretion occurs in breast milk in very small amount and it is clinically insignificant (Voropaeva 1982, Amiraslanova 1985, Nakamura 1987). No adverse effects reported in breasted infants (Benyamini 2005).

Intravenously administered Cefuroxime salt is not orally absorbed.

Cephalosporins are widely used in the Pediatric practice with a good tolerance, 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.

Be aware of the possibility of false negative results of cultures in febrile infants whose mothers are taking antibiotics as well as the possibility of gastroenteritis (Ito 1993) by altering the intestinal flora.

Alternatives

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

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Cefuroxime Axetil
  • Cefuroxime Sodium

Writings

  • Κεφουροξίμη (Greek)
  • سيفوروكسيم (Arabic)
  • Цефуроксим (Cyrillic)
  • 头孢呋辛 (Chinese)
  • セフロキシム (Japanese)
  • C16H16N4O8S (Molecular formula)

Drug trade names

References

  1. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. 2013Abstract
  2. 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. 2005Abstract
  3. 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. 1993Abstract
  4. Powell DA, James NC, Ossi MJ, Nahata MC, Donn KH. Pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime axetil suspension in infants and children. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991Abstract Full text (in our servers)
  5. Vree TB, Hekster YA. Pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of cefuroxime. Pharm Weekbl Sci. 1990Abstract
  6. Nakamura T, Hashimoto I, Sawada Y, Mikami J. [Clinical studies on cefuroxime axetil in acute mastitis]. Jpn J Antibiot. 1987Abstract
  7. Voropaeva SD, Emel'ianova AI, Ankirskaia AS, Minasova GS, Saakian SS. [Effectiveness of using cefuroxime in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic]. Antibiotiki. 1982Abstract