5 Cefuroxime Side Effects You Should Know About

Cefuroxime (Ceftin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used for a wide range of bacterial infections. Examples include respiratory infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections. It also treats more serious infections, such as Lyme disease.

Most cefuroxime side effects will go away on their own after you finish your course of treatment. But knowing what side effects to expect and how to manage them can help you get the most from your medication.

Cefuroxime side effects at a glance

Below are common and rare cefuroxime side effects reported in clinical trials. Keep in mind, you may experience side effects not listed here. Or you may not experience any side effects at all.

Promotion disclosure

Cefuroxime Axetil

Avg retail price

$34.29(Save 60.16%)

GoodRx discount

$13.66

Compare all prices

Common or mild cefuroxime side effects include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea or vomiting

• Vaginal infections

• Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (short-term fever, chills, and nausea that can occur when treating Lyme disease)

• Stomach cramps

• Gas

• Headache

Less common cefuroxime side effects include:

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

• Clostridioides difficile colitis

• Development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

• Increased bleeding risk

Below, we’ll look at five cefuroxime side effects in greater detail, along with ways to manage them.

1. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most common cefuroxime side effects. You may also experience mild stomach pain or more gas than usual while you’re taking it. These side effects are usually mild and get better on their own after you finish your course of treatment. 

You can take cefuroxime with or without food. But taking it with food may help reduce the chance of diarrhea. A probiotic supplement can also help manage this side effect.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• How long does it take for antibiotics to work? Pharmacist-backed answers to this and other common FAQs about antibiotics.

• Do you need an antibiotic? Hear from physicians about when you should and shouldn’t take an antibiotic. 

• Is it a cold or a sinus infection? Here’s how to tell the difference.

If you do experience diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. This will help keep you from becoming dehydrated. If needed, you can also try an over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).

C. Diff diarrhea

Like many antibiotics, cefuroxime can kill off the healthy bacteria naturally found in your gut. That can lead to an overgrowth of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) bacteria. A C. diff infection can cause severe diarrhea that can be life-threatening if not treated.

In addition to diarrhea, the most common symptoms of a C. diff infection are severe stomach pain and fever. It can happen while you’re taking cefuroxime, but it can also occur 8 weeks (2 months) or more after you’ve finished treatment. Contact your prescriber or seek emergency care if you develop any C. diff infection symptoms during or after cefuroxime treatment.

2. Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are also possible cefuroxime side effects. As with diarrhea, taking cefuroxime with food may help prevent these side effects. Staying well hydrated, avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and eating smaller meals may also help you manage your nausea.

If you vomit after taking cefuroxime, contact your prescriber. They can let you know if you need to take another dose.

3. Vaginal yeast infection

Cefuroxime can also disrupt the natural bacteria in the vagina. This increases your risk of a vaginal yeast infection. The most common symptoms include abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, and irritation. The risk of vaginal infection seems to be higher with longer treatment, such as for Lyme disease.

There are several topical OTC treatments for vaginal yeast infections. Examples include miconazole (Monistat), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), and tioconazole (Vagistat 1, Monistat 1). Fluconazole (Diflucan) is an oral medication that’s only available by prescription. Your healthcare team can help you find the best treatment option for your needs.

4. Increased liver enzymes

Cefuroxime can increase liver enzymes in some people. This typically isn’t a serious issue. In most cases, liver enzyme levels return to normal on their own after you’ve stopped the medication. But more serious liver problems have been reported in rare cases.

You may not notice any signs or symptoms if your liver enzymes go up. But other signs of liver problems include stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), and clay-colored stool. Reach out to your prescriber if you notice any of these symptoms.

5. Allergic reactions

Allergic reactions are another possible cefuroxime side effect. There are a few types of reactions that can occur:

• Mild drug rash: Antibiotics such as cefuroxime can cause red or itchy skin rashes. In some cases, a rash will appear soon after you’ve started the medication. But rashes can also appear later on during treatment. Let your prescriber know if a rash appears while you’re taking cefuroxime. They can determine the best course of action.

• Anaphylaxis: This is a severe allergic reaction that may start with a skin rash. But from there it progresses to swelling of the mouth or tongue, trouble breathing, and vomiting. Seek emergency care right away if signs of anaphylaxis appear after you’ve taken cefuroxime.

• Severe skin reactions: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe skin reactions that can happen after taking cefuroxime. They aren’t common, but they can be life-threatening. These skin reactions typically involve a blistery rash along with a fever and flu-like symptoms. And they can happen while you’re taking cefuroxime or in the weeks after you’ve finished treatment. Seek emergency care if symptoms of these skin reactions appear.

Can you take cefuroxime if you’re allergic to penicillin?

Cefuroxime and other cephalosporin antibiotics are close cousins to penicillin. So if you're allergic to penicillin, there’s a slightly higher chance that you may also be allergic to some cephalosporins. But this doesn’t seem to be the case with cefuroxime. It doesn’t have as many similarities to penicillin as other cephalosporins.

If you’re allergic to penicillin, your prescriber will determine which other antibiotics are likely to be safe for you, based on your personal history as well as how severe your penicillin allergy is.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA

Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA, has been a pharmacist for 12 years. His first job was floating in a community chain pharmacy.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Weiser, PharmD

Patricia has 16 years of pharmacist experience. She previously held positions as a community pharmacist, pharmacy manager, and hospital pharmacist.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts