Cefuroxime Oral Suspension and Disulfiram

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Using cefuroxime together with disulfiram can cause unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if your condition worsens. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests if your use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

MONITOR: An isolated case report suggests that the disulfiram reaction can occur during coadministration of cefuroxime axetil. Because the axetil moiety is metabolized to acetaldehyde in vivo, the reaction was presumably caused by an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the presence of disulfiram, which blocks the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate. High levels of acetaldehyde can produce an unpleasant physiologic response referred to as the 'disulfiram reaction'. Symptoms include flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension, syncope, weakness, vertigo, blurred vision, and confusion. Severe reactions may result in respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, acute congestive heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. In the report, a patient who had been receiving disulfiram 125 mg every morning for the previous 18 months developed nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps within one hour after a 250 mg oral dose of cefuroxime. These symptoms lasted eight to nine hours. The patient was not rechallenged.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, the possibility of a disulfiram reaction should be considered when prescribing cefuroxime axetil to patients treated with disulfiram.

Cefuroxime Oral Suspension

Generic Name: cefuroxime

Brand name: Ceftin, Kefurox, Zinacef, Zinacef ADD-Vantage, Zinacef TwistVial

Synonyms: Cefuroxime

What is Cefuroxime Oral Suspension?

Disulfiram

Generic Name: disulfiram

Brand name: Antabuse

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Disulfiram?