# Cefuroxime in Nigeria

Cefuroxime has 82 active NAFDAC registrations in our October 2026 copy of the register, from 47 registration holders; 98 further listings have lapsed.

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/cefuroxime/
- Drug class: Second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic (Antibiotics)
- Also known as: Cefuroxime axetil, Zinnat, Zinacef
- Prescription required: yes
- Last updated: October 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of October 2026, Cefuroxime syrup sells for about ₦63 per ml online in Nigeria (packs ₦4,590–₦5,860) at HealthPlus; tablets ₦6,970–₦23,230. The online price is roughly unchanged since August 2026. That figure is for Zinnat; 80 other cefuroxime brands are NAFDAC-registered and generic versions usually cost less. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## What is Cefuroxime?

Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, best known in Nigeria under the brand name Zinnat (GlaxoSmithKline). It works by binding to the proteins bacteria use to build their cell walls; without an intact wall, the bacteria burst and die. Cefuroxime covers a usefully broad mix of gram-positive bacteria (like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus) and common gram-negative ones (like Haemophilus influenzae and some E. coli), which is why doctors reach for it in chest, throat, ear, urine and skin infections.

The oral form is cefuroxime axetil — a 'prodrug' that the body converts to active cefuroxime after absorption. It comes as 250mg and 500mg tablets and a 125mg/5ml suspension for children. There is also an injectable form (cefuroxime sodium, 750mg and 1.5g vials) used in hospitals for more serious infections and to prevent infection around surgery. In our copy of the NAFDAC register, cefuroxime has one of the largest antibiotic footprints of any molecule without a famous generic name — dozens of active registrations, most of them imported.

Cefuroxime sits in the WHO 'Watch' group of antibiotics: effective, but with a higher potential to drive resistance when used loosely. In Nigeria it is often bought for any fever or cough, which is exactly the pattern that breeds resistant bacteria. It should be taken only when a clinician has judged that a bacterial infection is likely and that an Access-group antibiotic (like amoxicillin) is not the better choice.

## What is Cefuroxime used for?

- Community-acquired pneumonia and flare-ups of chronic bronchitis
- Middle ear infection (otitis media), sinusitis, and tonsillitis/pharyngitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections (cellulitis, infected wounds)
- Early Lyme disease (rare in Nigeria, but a recognised indication)
- Gonorrhoea in specific regimens (only under medical direction — resistance patterns matter)
- Surgical prophylaxis and serious infections (injection form, hospital use)

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: For most infections the adult dose is 250mg twice daily by mouth; for more severe chest infections and pyelonephritis doctors prescribe 500mg twice daily. Uncomplicated urinary infections are often treated with 125mg to 250mg twice daily. Cefuroxime axetil tablets should be taken shortly after food — absorption is meaningfully better with a meal. Courses typically run 5 to 10 days depending on the infection; complete the course even if you feel well.
- Children: Children are usually given the suspension: commonly 10mg per kg twice daily (up to 125mg twice daily) for mild infections, and 15mg per kg twice daily (up to 250mg twice daily) for otitis media and more severe infections. Shake the bottle well, use a proper measuring spoon or syringe, and keep the reconstituted suspension refrigerated and discarded after the period stated on the pack. A doctor or pharmacist should confirm the dose against the child's weight.
- Elderly: No routine dose change is needed in older adults with normal kidney function, but kidney function declines with age and cefuroxime is cleared by the kidneys — doctors reduce the dose or lengthen the interval when kidney function is significantly impaired.

Take the tablets after food and swallow them whole — crushing cefuroxime axetil tablets releases a strongly bitter taste and can affect absorption. Do not 'chase away' every fever with an antibiotic: malaria, which needs a completely different treatment, remains the commonest cause of fever in Nigeria. If symptoms have not begun improving after 48–72 hours on cefuroxime, go back to the clinic rather than adding another antibiotic yourself.

## Side effects

Common: Diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal discomfort; Headache and dizziness; Bitter or metallic taste; Skin rash; Thrush (oral or vaginal candidiasis) after longer courses.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Severe allergic reactions (swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing, widespread rash) — cephalosporins can cross-react in people with penicillin allergy; Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea — severe, watery or bloody diarrhoea during or after treatment; Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (blistering, peeling skin, mouth sores) — rare; Liver enzyme disturbances and, rarely, jaundice; Blood disorders (unusual bruising, persistent sore throat, pallor) — rare.

When to see a doctor: Stop the medicine and seek urgent care for any sign of a serious allergic reaction — facial swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or a rapidly spreading rash. See a doctor promptly for severe or bloody diarrhoea (do not simply take loperamide), yellowing of the eyes, or a blistering rash. If you have ever had a serious reaction to penicillin, tell the prescriber before taking any cephalosporin.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Known allergy to cefuroxime or any cephalosporin antibiotic; History of severe, immediate penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis) — discuss alternatives with your doctor; Previous severe skin reaction to a beta-lactam antibiotic.

Interactions: Antacids and acid-reducing drugs (omeprazole, ranitidine) — can reduce absorption of cefuroxime axetil; separate doses where possible; Probenecid — raises cefuroxime blood levels; Warfarin — cephalosporins can enhance the anticoagulant effect; monitor INR; Oral contraceptives — antibiotics can occasionally reduce reliability during diarrhoea/vomiting; use additional precautions if unwell; Live typhoid vaccine (oral) — antibiotics blunt the vaccine response; separate by at least 72 hours.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Cefuroxime crosses the placenta but has a long record of use without evidence of harm; it is generally considered one of the safer antibiotic choices in pregnancy when an antibiotic is genuinely needed — always on a doctor's advice. Small amounts pass into breast milk and may occasionally cause loose stools or thrush in the baby; breastfeeding is usually continued, with the infant observed.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Zinnat (GlaxoSmithKline, made in United Kingdom); Zinnat 500 (GlaxoSmithKline, made in United Kingdom); Agcef (AnnyGod Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, made in India); Axcel Cefuroxime-250 (Dortemag Ventures Limited, made in Malaysia); Supacef (Superior Pharmaceuticals Limited, made in China).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/cefuroxime/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check for a valid NAFDAC registration number on the pack — Zinnat 250mg tablets, for example, carry 04-0433 in our copy of the register.
2. Zinnat is one of the more counterfeited premium antibiotics in West Africa: buy it from a registered pharmacy, not open drug markets, and inspect print quality, batch number and expiry date.
3. Use our NAFDAC checker to confirm the registration number on any cefuroxime brand before paying.
4. Be suspicious of a 'Zinnat' priced far below every pharmacy around it — a premium imported brand at a giveaway price is the classic counterfeit signature.
5. Where the genuine premium brand is out of budget, a NAFDAC-registered generic cefuroxime verified through the register is a safer choice than a doubtful 'original'.

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### What is Zinnat used for?

Zinnat is GlaxoSmithKline's brand of cefuroxime axetil. Doctors prescribe it for bacterial infections of the chest (bronchitis, pneumonia), throat, sinuses and middle ear, for urinary tract infections, and for some skin infections. It is not a malaria medicine and does nothing for viral illnesses like colds — using it for those wastes money and feeds antibiotic resistance.

### Is cefuroxime the same as ceftriaxone?

No. Both are cephalosporin antibiotics, but ceftriaxone is a third-generation injectable used mainly in hospitals for serious infections like severe typhoid and meningitis, while cefuroxime is a second-generation antibiotic most often taken as tablets at home for chest, ear, urine and skin infections. They are not interchangeable — the right choice depends on the infection, and that judgement belongs to a clinician.

### Can I take cefuroxime if I am allergic to penicillin?

It depends on how severe the penicillin allergy was. People whose reaction was mild (a delayed rash) can often take cephalosporins safely, because true cross-reactivity is uncommon. But anyone who has had an immediate, severe reaction to penicillin — facial swelling, breathing difficulty, collapse — should avoid cefuroxime unless an experienced doctor decides otherwise. Always tell the prescriber and the pharmacist about any antibiotic reaction you have had.

### Why must Zinnat be taken with food?

Cefuroxime axetil, the oral form of cefuroxime, is absorbed roughly half as well on an empty stomach. Taking the tablet during or shortly after a meal can nearly double the amount that reaches your blood, which is the difference between an effective course and a wasted one. The tablets should also be swallowed whole — crushing them releases an intensely bitter taste.

### Is cefuroxime good for typhoid?

Cefuroxime is not a first-choice typhoid treatment. Nigerian clinicians typically use ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, cefixime or, for severe cases, ceftriaxone injection, guided by how local Salmonella typhi strains respond. If typhoid is genuinely suspected, ask for proper testing (blood culture where available — the Widal test alone is unreliable) rather than self-treating with whatever antibiotic is at hand.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)