Abstract

Parenteral cefuroxime (Zinacef - Glaxo) has been available for over 10 years. It is now available for oral administration as cefuroxime axetil (▾Zinnat). Cefuroxime is stable to many β-lactamases and is active against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Like most other cephalosporins, it is not active against Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas spp or Bacteroides spp. We compared its activity with other cephalosporins in a previous issue.¹ It is being promoted especially for use in chest and urinary tract infections.