Drug interactions
Cefuroxime + Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid
Severity: Moderate
Cefuroxime and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid: 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
Sodium picosulfate must be converted by colonic bacteria to its active laxative form. Antibiotics that disrupt colonic flora may reduce this conversion and give a poorer bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefuroxime and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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
Antibiotic-induced alteration of colonic bacteria reduces activation of the picosulfate prodrug.
What to do
Where possible avoid starting oral antibiotics shortly before bowel preparation, or consider a non-prodrug preparation. Check the quality of bowel cleansing at colonoscopy.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cefuroxime and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefuroxime and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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. Sodium picosulfate must be converted by colonic bacteria to its active laxative form. Antibiotics that disrupt colonic flora may reduce this conversion and give a poorer bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
How serious is the interaction between Cefuroxime and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Where possible avoid starting oral antibiotics shortly before bowel preparation, or consider a non-prodrug preparation. Check the quality of bowel cleansing at colonoscopy.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
