Cefuroxime use while Breastfeeding
Drugs containing Cefuroxime: Ceftin, Zinacef, Kefurox
Cefuroxime Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Cefuroxime is acceptable to use during breastfeeding. Limited information indicates that maternal doses of cefuroxime up to 2.25 grams daily by injection produce low levels in milk that are not expected to cause severe adverse effects in breastfed infants. Occasionally, disruption of the infant's gastrointestinal flora, resulting in diarrhea or thrush, has been reported with cephalosporins, but these effects have not been adequately evaluated.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. A single intravenous dose of 750 mg of cefuroxime was given to 5 women. The average peak cefuroxime level in milk was 0.37 mg/L 3 hours after the dose. Individual peak levels of 0.33 to 0.5 mg/L occurred 2 to 4 hours after the dose.[1]
A single intramuscular injection of 750 mg of cefuroxime was given to 8 women with endometritis. Milk cefuroxime levels increased from 0.34 mg/L at 30 minutes after the injection to 1.45 mg/L at 8 hours after the injection.[2]
After cefuroxime 750 mg three times daily intramuscularly, peak milk levels averaging 1.2 mg/L occurred 6 hours after the dose. Cefuroxime was detectable at a concentration of 0.36 mg/L 30 minutes after the dose, and by 8 hours the milk level had decreased to 1.06 mg/L.[3]
No studies have measured cefuroxime in milk after oral administration, but milk levels would be expected to be much lower than the values above.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible Effects on Lactation
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
References
1. Takase Z, Shirofuji H, Uchida M. Fundamental and clinical studies of cefuroxime in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Chemotherapy (Tokyo). 1979;27 (Suppl 6):600-2.
2. Voropaeva SD, Emel'ianova AI, Ankirskaia AS et al. [Effectiveness of using cefuroxime in the obstetrics and gynecology clinic]. Antibiotiki. 1981;27:697-701. PMID: 7149693
3. Amiraslanova LA, Emel'ianova AI, Fursova SA, Rukhadze TG. [Various characteristics of the pharmacokinetics of ampicillin, kanamycin and cefuroxime in puerperants with endometritis]. Akush Ginekol (Mosk). 1985;Oct; (10):14-7. PMID: 2934996
4. Benyamini L, Merlob P, Stahl B et al. The safety of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefuroxime during lactation. Ther Drug Monit. 2005;27:499-502. PMID: 16044108
Cefuroxime Identification
Substance Name
CAS Registry Number
55268-75-2
Drug Class
- Antiinfective Agents
- Antibacterial Agents
- Cephalosporins
Administrative Information
LactMed Record Number
58
Information from the National Library of Medicine's LactMed Database.
Last Revision Date
2010-12-07
Disclaimer
Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.
See Also...
- Cefuroxime use during Pregnancy
- Cefuroxime Consumer Information
- Breastfeeding Support Group
- Safe Medications during Breastfeeding
- Medicine use while Breastfeeding
- Medicine use during Pregnancy
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