Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Apo Cefuroxime. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Apo Cefuroxime with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Apo Cefuroxime. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain (mild)
• Diarrhea (mild)
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• diaper rash
• diarrhea (watery and severe; may also be bloody)
• Fever
• severe abdominal pain or stomach cramps and pain
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash, itching, or Hives
• vaginal itching or discharge
• white patches in the mouth (thrush; yeast infection in the mouth)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• seizures
• signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort
• symptoms of an allergic reaction, (e.g., swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth, or throat; difficulty breathing or swallowing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Apo Cefuroxime.

250 mg
Each white, capsule-shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved "APO" on one side and "C250" on the other side contains cefuroxime axetil equivalent to 250 mg of cefuroxime base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

500 mg
Each white, capsule-shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved "APO" on one side and "C500" on the other contains cefuroxime axetil equivalent to 500 mg of cefuroxime base. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Apo Cefuroxime if you:

• are allergic to cefuroxime or any ingredients of Apo Cefuroxime
• are allergic to any of the cephalosporin antibiotics

There may be an interaction between cefuroxime axetil and any of the following:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., Amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin)
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• H2 antagonists (e.g., Famotidine, Ranitidine)
• BCG
• BCG vaccine
• birth control pills
• Cholera vaccine
• proton pump inhibitors (e.g. Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole)
• sodium picosulfate
• typhoid vaccine
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Apo Cefuroxime. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apo Cefuroxime.

Allergy: Before taking cefuroxime, tell your doctor about any adverse reactions you have had to medications, especially cefuroxime, cephalosporins, and penicillins. Some people who are allergic to penicillin may also be allergic to cephalosporins such as cefuroxime. If you have an allergic reaction, contact a doctor immediately.

Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as cefuroxime may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better when you first start taking cefuroxime, you need to take all the medication exactly as directed by your doctor to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from growing. Do not take cefuroxime or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.

Blood cells: Rarely, cefuroxime may cause a faster breakdown of red blood cells, leading to a form of Anemia (hemolytic anemia). If you experience symptoms of anemia such as fatigue or lack of energy, pale skin, dizziness, or weakness, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you are taking a blood test, let your doctor know that you are taking cefuroxime. Apo Cefuroxime may affect the results of blood tests.

If you have a history of anemia caused by cephalosporin antibiotics, this anemia can be much more severe. Discuss with your doctor how Apo Cefuroxime may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Cefuroxime, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: The suspension form of Apo Cefuroxime contains approximately 3 grams of sugar in each teaspoonful. If you have diabetes, it may affect your blood sugar control. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Apo Cefuroxime may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Cefuroxime, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diarrhea: People taking Apo Cefuroxime may develop diarrhea caused by an infection with the bacteria C. difficile. If you have loose, watery, and bloody bowel movements, with or without fever, or stomach cramps after taking cefuroxime, get medical attention as soon as possible. Diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection can lead to serious health problems if it is not properly treated.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Apo Cefuroxime to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Cefuroxime may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Cefuroxime, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Other infections: Use of cefuroxime for a long time may result in the overgrowth of organisms not affected by the medication, such as yeast, which can lead to other infections.

Phenylketonuria: People with phenylketonuria are not able to break down the amino acid phenylalanine, allowing it to build up in the body, causing harmful effects. The suspension form of Apo Cefuroxime contains aspartame, a sweetener that is a source of phenylalanine, and should not be used by people with phenylketonuria.

Stomach and bowel problems: If you have had stomach or bowel problems (especially colitis), discuss with your doctor how Apo Cefuroxime may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Cefuroxime, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Apo Cefuroxime should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Apo Cefuroxime, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Apo Cefuroxime passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking cefuroxime, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.