Drug interactions
Cefuroxime + Famotidine
Severity: Moderate
Cefuroxime and Famotidine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Famotidine raises gastric pH, which can reduce the absorption of cefuroxime axetil tablets, since the prodrug is better absorbed in an acidic stomach. Lower serum levels of cefuroxime may result in reduced antibacterial effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefuroxime and Famotidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cefuroxime belongs to Anti Bacterial; Famotidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Higher gastric pH reduces dissolution and absorption of oral cefuroxime axetil.
What to do
Avoid acid-suppressing therapy during cefuroxime axetil treatment where possible, or give cefuroxime with food to improve absorption. Monitor clinical response, and consider an alternative antibiotic for serious infections.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Famotidine
Other interactions of Cefuroxime
- Aluminum hydroxide + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Amikacin + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Bcg vaccine live + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Calcium + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Cefuroxime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefuroxime with Famotidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefuroxime and Famotidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Famotidine raises gastric pH, which can reduce the absorption of cefuroxime axetil tablets, since the prodrug is better absorbed in an acidic stomach. Lower serum levels of cefuroxime may result in reduced antibacterial effect.
How serious is the interaction between Cefuroxime and Famotidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid acid-suppressing therapy during cefuroxime axetil treatment where possible, or give cefuroxime with food to improve absorption. Monitor clinical response, and consider an alternative antibiotic for serious infections.
What other medicines interact with Famotidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Famotidine with, for example, Atazanavir, Dasatinib, Infigratinib. The full list is on the Famotidine page.
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