Biaxin XL and Cefuroxime Sodium

• Generic Name: clarithromycin
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Biaxin XL, Biaxin

Biaxin XL (clarithromycin) is a macrolide antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body.

Biaxin XL is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections affecting the skin and respiratory system.

Biaxin XL is also used together with other medicines to treat stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori.

• Generic Name: cefuroxime
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Ceftin, Kefurox, Zinacef, Zinacef ADD-Vantage, Zinacef TwistVial

Treatment of AOM caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase-producing strains), Moraxella catarrhalis (including β-lactamase-producing strains), or S. pyogenes.

When anti-infectives indicated, AAP recommends high-dose amoxicillin or amoxicillin and clavulanate as drugs of choice for initial treatment of AOM; certain cephalosporins (cefdinir, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone) recommended as alternatives for initial treatment in penicillin-allergic patients without a history of severe and/or recent penicillin-allergic reactions.

Treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci). Generally effective in eradicating S. pyogenes from nasopharynx; efficacy in prevention of subsequent rheumatic fever not established.

AAP, IDSA, AHA, and others recommend a penicillin regimen (10 days of oral penicillin V or oral amoxicillin or single dose of IM penicillin G benzathine) as treatments of choice for S. pyogenes pharyngitis and tonsillitis; other anti-infectives (oral cephalosporins, oral macrolides, oral clindamycin) recommended as alternatives in penicillin-allergic patients.

If an oral cephalosporin used, 10 day regimen of first generation cephalosporin (cefadroxil, cephalexin) preferred instead of other cephalosporins with broader spectrums of activity (e.g., cefaclor, cefdinir, cefixime, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime).

Parenteral treatment of bone and joint infections caused by susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains).

Parenteral treatment of meningitis caused by susceptible S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), Neisseria meningitidis, or S. aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains).

Not a drug of choice for meningitis; treatment failures have been reported, especially in meningitis caused by H. influenzae. In addition, bacteriologic response to cefuroxime appears to be slower than that reported with ceftriaxone, which may increase the risk for hearing loss and neurologic sequelae. When a cephalosporin is indicated for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, a parenteral third generation cephalosporin (usually ceftriaxone or cefotaxime) generally recommended.

Treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis caused by susceptible S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae (non-β-lactamase-producing strains only). Data insufficient to date to establish efficacy for treatment of acute maxillary sinusitis known or suspected to be caused by β-lactamase-producing strains of H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis. Because of variable activity against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, IDSA no longer recommends second or third generation oral cephalosporins for empiric monotherapy of acute bacterial sinusitis. Oral amoxicillin or amoxicillin and clavulanate usually recommended for empiric treatment. If an oral cephalosporin used as an alternative in children (e.g., in penicillin-allergic individuals), combination regimen that includes a third generation cephalosporin (cefixime or cefpodoxime) and clindamycin (or linezolid) recommended.

Treatment of secondary bacterial infections of acute bronchitis caused by susceptible S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae (non-β-lactamase-producing strains only), or H. parainfluenzae (non-β-lactamase-producing strains only).

Treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by susceptible S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae (non-β-lactamase-producing strains only), or H. parainfluenzae (non-β-lactamase-producing strains only).

Parenteral treatment of lower respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) caused by susceptible S. pneumoniae, S. aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains), S. pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci), H. influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), Escherichia coli, or Klebsiella.

Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Recommended by ATS and IDSA as an alternative for treatment of CAP caused by penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae. Also recommended as an alternative in certain combination regimens used for empiric treatment of CAP. Select regimen for empiric treatment of CAP based on most likely pathogens and local susceptibility patterns; after pathogen is identified, modify to provide more specific therapy (pathogen-directed therapy).

For empiric outpatient treatment of CAP when risk factors for drug-resistant S. pneumoniae are present (e.g., comorbidities such as chronic heart, lung, liver, or renal disease, diabetes, alcoholism, malignancies, asplenia, immunosuppression; use of anti-infectives within the last 3 months), ATS and IDSA recommend monotherapy with a fluoroquinolone active against S. pneumoniae (moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin) or, alternatively, a combination regimen that includes a β-lactam active against S. pneumoniae (high-dose amoxicillin or fixed combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid or, alternatively, ceftriaxone, cefpodoxime, or cefuroxime) given in conjunction with a macrolide (azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin) or doxycycline. Cefuroxime and cefpodoxime may be less active against S. pneumoniae than amoxicillin or ceftriaxone.

If a parenteral cephalosporin is used as an alternative to penicillin G or amoxicillin for treatment of CAP caused by penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae, ATS and IDSA recommend ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or cefuroxime; if an oral cephalosporin is used for treatment of these infections, ATS and IDSA recommend cefpodoxime, cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefdinir, or cefditoren.

Parenteral treatment of septicemia caused by susceptible S. aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains), S. pneumoniae, E. coli, H. influenzae (including ampicillin-resistant strains), or Klebsiella.

In the treatment of known or suspected sepsis or the treatment of other serious infections when the causative organism is unknown, concomitant therapy with an aminoglycoside may be indicated pending results of in vitro susceptibility tests.

Oral treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible S. aureus (including β-lactamase-producing strains) or S. pyogenes.

Parenteral treatment of skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible S. aureus (including β-lactamase-producing strains), S. pyogenes, E. coli, Klebsiella, or Enterobacter.

Oral treatment of uncomplicated UTIs caused by susceptible E. coli or K. pneumoniae.

Parenteral treatment of UTIs caused by susceptible E. coli or K. pneumoniae.

Has been used orally or parenterally for treatment of uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal gonorrhea caused by susceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Has been used parenterally for treatment of disseminated gonococcal infections caused by susceptible N. gonorrhoeae.

Not included in current CDC recommendations for gonococcal infections.

Because of concerns related to recent reports of N. gonorrhoeae with reduced susceptibility to cephalosporins, CDC states that oral cephalosporins no longer recommended as first-line treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea. For treatment of uncomplicated urogenital, anorectal, or pharyngeal gonorrhea, CDC recommends a combination regimen that includes a single dose of IM ceftriaxone and either a single dose of oral azithromycin or 7-day regimen of oral doxycycline.

Treatment of early Lyme disease manifested as erythema migrans. IDSA, AAP, and other clinicians recommend oral doxycycline, oral amoxicillin, or oral cefuroxime axetil as first-line therapy for treatment of early localized or early disseminated Lyme disease associated with erythema migrans, in the absence of specific neurologic involvement or advanced atrioventricular (AV) heart block.

Treatment of early neurologic Lyme disease in patients with cranial nerve palsy alone without evidence of meningitis (i.e., those with normal CSF examinations or those for whom CSF examination is deemed unnecessary because there are no clinical signs of meningitis). Parenteral anti-infectives (IV ceftriaxone, IV penicillin G sodium, or IV cefotaxime) recommended for treatment of early Lyme disease when there are acute neurologic manifestations such as meningitis or radiculopathy.

Treatment of Lyme carditis. IDSA and others state that patients with AV heart block and/or myopericarditis associated with early Lyme disease may be treated with an oral regimen (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil) or a parenteral regimen (IV ceftriaxone or, alternatively, IV cefotaxime or IV penicillin G sodium). A parenteral regimen usually recommended for initial treatment of hospitalized patients; an oral regimen can be used to complete therapy and for the treatment of outpatients.

Treatment of borrelial lymphocytoma. Although experience is limited, IDSA states that available data indicate that borrelial lymphocytoma may be treated with an oral regimen (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil).

Treatment of uncomplicated Lyme arthritis without clinical evidence of neurologic disease. An oral regimen (doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil) can be used, but a parenteral regimen (IV ceftriaxone or, alternatively, IV cefotaxime or IV penicillin G sodium) should be used in those with Lyme arthritis and concomitant neurologic disease. Patients with persistent or recurrent joint swelling after a recommended oral regimen should receive retreatment with the oral regimen or a switch to a parenteral regimen. Some clinicians prefer retreatment with an oral regimen for those whose arthritis substantively improved but did not completely resolve; these clinicians reserve parenteral regimens for those patients whose arthritis failed to improve or worsened. Allow several months for joint inflammation to resolve after initial treatment before an additional course of anti-infectives is given.

Perioperative prophylaxis in patients undergoing cardiac surgery; a drug of choice for cardiac procedures (e.g., coronary artery bypass, pacemaker or other cardiac device insertion, ventricular assist devices).

Perioperative prophylaxis in patients undergoing clean head and neck surgery involving placement of prosthesis (excluding tympanostomy); perioperative prophylaxis in conjunction with metronidazole in patients undergoing clean-contaminated cancer surgery of the head and neck or other clean-contaminated head and neck procedures (excluding tonsillectomy and functional endoscopic sinus procedures). A drug of choice.

Has been used for perioperative prophylaxis in patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery, GI or biliary tract surgery, gynecologic or obstetric surgery (e.g., vaginal hysterectomy), orthopedic procedures, or heart transplantation. Other anti-infectives (e.g., cefazolin) usually preferred.