CEFUROXIME ALTER 500 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Cefuroxime Alter 500 mg Film-Coated Tablets EFG

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet.You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only.Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Cefuroxime Alter and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Cefuroxime Alter
3. How to take Cefuroxime Alter
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Cefuroxime Alter
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Cefuroxime Alter and what is it used for

Cefuroxime Alter is an antibiotic used in both adults and children. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infections. It belongs to a group of medicines called cephalosporins.

Cefuroxime Alter is used to treat infections of:

• throat
• nasal sinuses
• middle ear
• lungs or chest
• urinary tract
• skin and soft tissues.

Cefuroxime Alter can also be used to:

• treat Lyme disease (an infection transmitted by ticks).
• Your doctor may analyze the type of bacteria causing your infection and check if the bacteria are sensitive to Cefuroxime Alter during treatment.

2. What you need to know before you take Cefuroxime Alter

Do not take CefuroximeAlter:

• If you are allergicto cefuroxime (such as axetil) or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to any other type of beta-lactam antibiotic (penicillins, monobactams, and carbapenem derivatives).
• If you think this applies to you, do not take Cefuroxime Alter until you have consulted your doctor.
• If you have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling or blisters and ulcers in the mouth after treatment with cefuroxime or any other cephalosporin antibiotic.

Be cautious with Cefuroxime Alter

Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), have been reported with cefuroxime treatment. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these severe skin reactions described in section 4.

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take Cefuroxime Alter.

Cefuroxime Alteris not recommended for children under 3 months, as the safety and efficacy for this age group are unknown.

You should be aware of certain symptoms such as allergic reactions, fungal infections (such as Candida), and severe diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) while taking Cefuroxime Alter. This will reduce the risk of possible complications. See “Symptoms to be aware of”in section 4.

If you need a blood test

Cefuroxime Alter may affect the results of blood sugar tests or the Coomb test. If you need a blood test:

• Tell the person performing the testthat you are taking cefuroxime.

Other medicines and Cefuroxime Alter

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription.

Medicines used to reduce stomach acidity(e.g., antacidsto treat heartburn) may affect the action of Cefuroxime Alter.

Probenecid

Oral anticoagulants

Tell your doctor or pharmacistif you are taking any of these medicines.

Contraceptive pill

Cefuroxime Alter may reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. If you are taking the contraceptive pill while taking Cefuroxime Alter, you should also use barrier contraceptive methods(such as condoms). Consult your doctor.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Cefuroxime Alter may cause dizzinessand other side effects that may affect your ability to be alert.

Do not drive or use machineryif you do not feel well.

Check with your doctorthat Cefuroxime Alter is suitable for you.

3. How to take Cefuroxime Alter

Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medicine indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Take Cefuroxime Alterafter meals.This will help the treatment be more effective.

Swallow the Cefuroxime Alter tablets whole with water.

Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets— this may make the treatment less effective.

Recommended dose

Adults

The recommended dose of Cefuroxime Alter is 250 mg to 500 mg twice a day, depending on the severity and type of infection.

Children

The recommended dose of Cefuroxime Alter is 10 mg/kg of the child's weight (up to a maximum of 125 mg) to 15 mg/kg of the child's weight (up to a maximum of 250 mg) twice a day, depending on:

• the severity and type of infection

Cefuroxime Alteris not recommended for children under 3 months, as the safety and efficacy for this age group are unknown.

Depending on the disease and how you or your child respond to treatment, the initial dose may be adjusted or it may be necessary to administer more than one treatment cycle.

Patients with kidney problems

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may change your dose.

• Consult your doctorif you are affected by this problem.

If you take more Cefuroxime Alterthan you should

If you take too much Cefuroxime Alter, you may experience neurological disorders, in particular, you may have a higher risk of having seizures (convulsions).

• Do not delay. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital immediately. If possible, show them the Cefuroxime Alter packaging.

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.

If you forget to take Cefuroxime Alter

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.Simply continue with the next dose as usual.

If you stop taking Cefuroxime Alter

Do not stop taking Cefuroxime Alterwithout prior advice.

It is important that you complete the entire treatment of Cefuroxime Alter.Do not stop it unless your doctor tells you to, even if you have started to feel better. If you do not complete the treatment cycle, the infection may recur.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Symptoms to be aware of

A small number of people who took cefuroxime presented with a severe allergic reaction or a potentially severe skin reaction. The symptoms of these reactions include:

• severe allergic reaction. The signs include skin rash with itching, swelling, sometimes of the face or mouth, causing difficulty breathing
• skin rash,which can cause blisters,resembling small targets(dark spot in the center surrounded by a lighter area, with a dark ring around the edge)
• widespread skin rashwith blisters and skin peeling.(These can be symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndromeor toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• widespread rash, high body temperature, and swollen lymph nodes(DRESS or drug hypersensitivity syndrome)
• chest pain in the context of allergic reactions,which can be a symptom of an allergic reaction-induced heart attack (Kounis syndrome)

Other symptoms to be aware of while taking cefuroxime:

• fungal infections.Medicines like Cefuroxime Alter can cause an increase in fungal growth (Candida) in the body, which can lead to fungal infections (such as thrush). This side effect is more likely to occur if cefuroxime has been taken for a prolonged period.
• severe diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis).Medicines like Cefuroxime Alter can cause inflammation of the colon (large intestine), which produces severe diarrhea, usually accompanied by blood and mucus, stomach pain, and fever.
• Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.Some patients may experience an increase in body temperature (fever), chills, headache, muscle pain, and skin rash while taking Cefuroxime Alter to treat Lyme disease. This is known as a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction.The symptoms usually last for a few hours to a day.

• Contact a doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Common side effects

May affect up to 1 in 10 people:

• fungal infection (such as Candida)
• headache
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• nausea
• stomach pain.

Common side effects that may appear in blood tests:

• increase in the count of a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia)
• increase in liver enzyme levels.

Uncommon side effects

May affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• vomiting
• skin rashes.

Uncommon side effects that may appear in blood tests:

• decrease in the number of blood platelets (cells that help blood clot)
• decrease in the number of white blood cells
• positive Coomb test.

Other side effects

Other side effects have occurred in a very small number of people, but their exact frequency is unknown:

• severe diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis)
• allergic reactions
• skin rashes (which can be severe)
• high fever
• yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin
• inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).

Side effects that may appear in blood tests:

• rapid destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia).

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: www.notificaRAM.es.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Cefuroxime Alter

No special storage conditions are required.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Return the packaging and any unused medicine to the pharmacy. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and any unused medicine. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Cefuroxime Alter

• The active substance is cefuroxime. Each tablet contains 500 mg of cefuroxime (as cefuroxime axetil).

The other ingredients (excipients) are: pregelatinized corn starch, croscarmellose sodium (AC-Disol SD-711), sodium lauryl sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose, anhydrous colloidal silica, hydrogenated vegetable oil, Opadry (hypromellose, titanium dioxide, propylene glycol, brilliant blue FCF, carmine, indigo).

Appearance and packaging of the product

Light blue film-coated tablets, biconvex, capsule-shaped.

Each pack contains 10, 15, or 20 film-coated tablets.

Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorization holder

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

Mateo Inurria, 30

28036 Madrid

Manufacturer:

Farmalider, S.A.

C/ Aragoneses 2

28108 Alcobendas

Madrid

or

Laboratorios Atral, S.A.

Rua da Estação 1 e 1A

2600-726 Castanheira do Ribatejo.

Portugal

or

Toll Manufacturing Services, S.L.

C/ Aragoneses, 2

28108 Alcobendas

Madrid

Date of the last revision of this leaflet: February 2023

Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es