Drug interactions
Cefuroxime + Ibuprofen / famotidine
Severity: Moderate
Cefuroxime and Ibuprofen / 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
Cefuroxime axetil is absorbed better in an acidic stomach and with food. Famotidine raises gastric pH and may reduce the absorption of oral cefuroxime axetil, possibly lowering antibiotic exposure. The ibuprofen component has no relevant effect on this.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefuroxime and Ibuprofen / 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.
Why it happens
Famotidine-induced increase in gastric pH reduces the absorption of cefuroxime axetil.
What to do
Take oral cefuroxime axetil with food and consider an alternative antibiotic or avoid acid suppression if treating a serious infection. Monitor clinical response.
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 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 Ibuprofen / famotidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefuroxime and Ibuprofen / 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 axetil is absorbed better in an acidic stomach and with food. Famotidine raises gastric pH and may reduce the absorption of oral cefuroxime axetil, possibly lowering antibiotic exposure. The ibuprofen component has no relevant effect on this.
How serious is the interaction between Cefuroxime and Ibuprofen / 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: Take oral cefuroxime axetil with food and consider an alternative antibiotic or avoid acid suppression if treating a serious infection. Monitor clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Cefuroxime?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefuroxime with, for example, Aluminum hydroxide, Amikacin, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cefuroxime page.
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