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Zinacef (CEFUROXIME)
Zinacef works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death.
Zinacef (Cefuroxime) is a cephalosporin antibacterial drug developed by Covis Injectables and currently owned by GlaxoSmithKline. It targets carbonic anhydrase 2 and is a small molecule modality. Approved in 1983, it is used to treat various bacterial infections, including acute sinusitis, bronchitis, and gonococcal infections. As an off-patent drug, it is available from multiple generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include its short half-life and moderate bioavailability.
At a glance
| Generic name | CEFUROXIME |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | GSK |
| Drug class | Cephalosporin Antibacterial |
| Target | Carbonic anhydrase 2 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1983 |
Mechanism of action
Mechanismof Action:. Cefuroxime is bactericidal agent that acts by inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cefuroxime has activity in the presence of some beta-lactamases, both penicillinases and cephalosporinases, of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Approved indications
- Acute bacterial sinusitis
- Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
- Acute gonococcal cervicitis
- Acute gonococcal endometritis
- Acute gonococcal urethritis
- Acute maxillary sinusitis
- Acute otitis media
- Bacterial infection due to Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Bacterial meningitis
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Bacterial septicemia
- Bacterial urinary infection
- Disseminated Gonococcal Infection
- Escherichia coli urinary tract infection
- Gonorrhea
- Gonorrhea of pharynx
- Gonorrhea of rectum
- H. Influenzae Meningitis
- Haemophilus Influenzae Acute Otitis Media
- Haemophilus Influenzae Bronchitis
Common side effects
- Thrombophlebitis
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Rash
- Transient eosinophilia
- Transient neutropenia
- Leukopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Transient rise in SGOT
- Transient rise in SGPT
- Alkaline phosphatase
- Bilirubin
Drug interactions
- esomeprazole
- lansoprazole
- omeprazole
- pantoprazole
- rabeprazole
Key clinical trials
- Effects of Red and Infrared Photobiomodulation in Rhinoplasty at a Single Centre (NA)
- Optimizing the Diagnostic Approach to Cephalosporin Allergy Testing (PHASE2)
- Short-course Antibiotics vs Standard Course Antibiotics in Patients With Cholangitis (NA)
- Clindamycin as an Alternative to Vancomycin in Patients Undergoing Aortic Cardiac Surgery With Extracorporeal Circulation (ECC) (PHASE2)
- Prevention of Surgical Site Infection in Open Paediatric Groin Surgeries Using Intravenous Prophylactic Antibiotics and Antimicrobial-coated Sutures (NA)
- Pivmecillinam as Oral Step-Down Treatment for Escherichia Coli Febrile Urinary Tract Infection Versus Standard of Care (PHASE4)
- Compound Phellodendron Decoction May Promote Wound Healing After Anal Fistulotomy (NA)
- Effect of Topical Sinonasal Antibiotics (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Zinacef CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Zinacef updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- GSK portfolio CI