CEFUROXIM 750 MG POWDER FOR SOLUTION FOR INJECTION - summary of medicine characteristics

Cefuroxime 750 mg powder for solution for injection

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Cefuroxime 750 mg powder for solution for injection:

Each vial contains cefuroxime sodium corresponding to 750 mg cefuroxime.

Each vial contains 42 mg sodium.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1

750 mg powder for solution for injection.

White or almost white powder.

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Cefuroxime is indicated for the treatment of the infections listed below in adults and children, including neonates (from birth) (see sections 4.4 and 5.1).

Community acquired pneumonia

Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis

Soft-tissue infections: cellulitis, erysipelas and wound infections

Intra-abdominal infections (see section 4.4)

Prophylaxis against infection in gastrointestinal (including oesophageal), orthopaedic, cardiovascular, and gynaecological surgery (including caesarean section).

In the treatment and prevention of infections in which it is very likely that anaerobic organisms will be encountered, cefuroxime should be administered with additional appropriate antibacterial agents.

Consideration should be given to official guidance on the appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Table 1: Adults and children > 40 kg

Table 2: Children < 40 kg

Renal impairment

Cefuroxime is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, as with all such antibiotics, in patients with markedly impaired renal function it is recommended that the dosage of cefuroxime should be reduced to compensate for its slower excretion.

Table 3: Recommended doses for cefuroxime in renal impairment

Hepatic impairment

Cefuroxime is primarily eliminated by the kidney. In patients with hepatic dysfunction this is not expected to effect the pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime.

Method of administration

Cefuroxime should be administered by intravenous injection over a period of 3 to 5 minutes directly into a vein or via a drip tube or infusion over 30 to 60 minutes, or by deep intramuscular injection. For instructions on reconstitution of the medicinal product before administration, see section 6.6.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to cefuroxime.

Patients with known hypersensitivity to cephalosporin antibiotics.

History of severe hypersensitivity (e.g. anaphylactic reaction) to any other type of beta-lactam antibacterial agent (penicillins, monobactams and carbapenems).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Hypersensitivity reactions

As with all beta-lactam antibacterial agents, serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. In case of severe hypersensitivity reactions, treatment with cefuroxime must be discontinued immediately and adequate emergency measures must be initiated.

Before beginning treatment, it should be established whether the patient has a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to cefuroxime, to other cephalosporins or to any other type of beta-lactam agent. Caution should be used if cefuroxime is given to patients with a history of non-severe hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam agents.

Concurrent treatment with potent diuretics or aminoglycosides

Cephalosporin antibiotics at high dosage should be given with caution to patients receiving concurrent treatment with potent diuretics such as furosemide or aminoglycosides. Renal impairment has been reported during use of these combinations. Renal function should be monitored in the elderly and those with known pre-existing renal impairment (see section 4.2).

Overgrowth of non-susceptible microorganisms

Use of cefuroxime may result in the overgrowth of Candida. Prolonged use may also result in the overgrowth of other non-susceptible microorganisms (e.g. enterococci and Clostridium difficile), which may require interruption of treatment (see section 4.8).

Antibacterial agent-associated pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with use of cefuroxime and may range in severity from mild to life threatening. This diagnosis should be considered in patients with diarrhoea during or subsequent to the administration of cefuroxime (see section 4.8). Discontinuation of therapy with cefuroxime and the administration of specific treatment for Clostridium difficile should be considered. Medicinal products that inhibit peristalsis should not be given.

Intra-abdominal infections

Due to its spectrum of activity, cefuroxime is not suitable for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative non-fermenting bacteria (see section 5.1). Intracameral use and eye disorders

Cefuroxim MIP is not formulated for intracameral use. Individual cases and clusters of serious ocular adverse reactions have been reported following unapproved intracameral use of cefuroxime sodium compounded from vials approved for intravenous/in­tramuscular administration. These reactions included macular oedema, retinal oedema, retinal detachment, retinal toxicity, visual impairment, visual acuity reduced, vision blurred, corneal opacity and corneal oedema.

Interference with diagnostic tests

The development of a positive Coomb’s Test associated with the use of cefuroxime may interfere with cross matching of blood (see section 4.8).

Slight interference with copper reduction methods (Benedict's, Fehling's, Clinitest) may be observed. However, this should not lead to false-positive results, as may be experienced with some other cephalosporins.

As a false negative result may occur in the ferricyanide test, it is recommended that either the glucose oxidase or hexokinase methods are used to determine blood/plasma glucose levels in patients receiving cefuroxime sodium.

Important information about excipients

This medicinal product contains 42 mg (or 1.77 mmol) sodium per 750 mg dose, equivalent to 2.1% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult. This should be considered for patients who are on a controlled sodium diet.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Cefuroxime is excreted by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Concomitant use of probenicid is not recommended. Concurrent administration of probenecid prolongs the excretion of the antibiotic and produces an elevated peak serum level.

High-dosage treatments with cephalosporins should be carried out with caution on patients who are taking strong-acting diuretics (such as furosemide) or potential nephrotoxic preparations (such as aminoglycoside antibiotics), since impairment of renal function through such combinations cannot be ruled out.

Determination of blood/plasma glucose levels: Please refer to section 4.4.

Concomitant use with oral anticoagulants may give rise to increased international normalised ratio (INR).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are limited amounts of data from the use of cefuroxime in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown no reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). Cefuroxime should be prescribed to pregnant women only if the benefit outweighs the risk.

Cefuroxime has been shown to cross the placenta and attain therapeutic levels in amniotic fluid and cord blood after intramuscular or intravenous dose to the mother.

Breastfeeding

Cefuroxime is excreted in human milk in small quantities. Adverse reactions at therapeutic doses are not expected, although a risk of diarrhoea and fungus infection of the mucous membranes cannot be excluded. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue/abstain from cefuroxime therapy taking into account the benefit of breast feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

Fertility

There are no data on the effects of cefuroxime sodium on fertility in humans. Reproductive studies in animals have shown no effects on fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects of cefuroxime on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, based on known adverse reactions, cefuroxime is unlikely to have an effect on the ability to drive and use machines.

4.8 Undesirable effects

The most common adverse reactions are neutropenia, eosinophilia, transient rise in liver enzymes or bilirubin, particularly in patients with pre-existing liver disease, but there is no evidence of harm to the liver and injection site reactions.

The frequency categories assigned to the adverse reactions below are estimates, as for most reactions suitable data for calculating incidence are not available. In addition the incidence of adverse reactions associated with cefuroxime sodium may vary according to the indication.

Data from clinical trials were used to determine the frequency of very common to rare adverse reactions. The frequencies assigned to all other adverse reactions (i.e. those occurring at <1/10000) were mainly determined using post-marketing data, and refer to a reporting rate rather than a true frequency.

Treatment related adverse reactions, all grades, are listed below by MedDRA body system organ class, frequency and grade of severity. The following convention has been utilised for the classification of frequency: very common > 1/10; common > 1/100 to < 1/10, uncommon > 1/1000 to < 1/100; rare > 1/10000 to < 1/1000; very rare < 1/10000 and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Paediatric population

The safety profile for cefuroxime sodium in children is consistent with the profile in adults.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

4.9 Overdose

Overdose can lead to neurological sequelae including encephalopathy, convulsions and coma. Symptoms of overdose can occur if the dose is not reduced appropriately in patients with renal impairment (see sections 4.2 and 4.4).

Serum levels of cefuroxime can be reduced by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antibacterials for systemic use, second-generation cephalosporins, ATC code: J01DC02

Mechanism of action

Cefuroxime inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis following attachment to penicillin binding proteins (PBPs). This results in the interruption of cell wall (peptidoglycan) biosynthesis, which leads to bacterial cell lysis and death.

PD/PK relationship

The efficacy is mainly determined by the length of time, during which the drug level is above the minimal inhibitory concentration of the pathogen.

Mechanism of resistance

Bacterial resistance to cefuroxime may be due to one or more of the following mechanisms:

Hydrolysis by beta-lactamases including (but not limited to) extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), and Amp-C enzymes, that may be induced or stably derepressed in certain aerobic Gram-negative bacterial species.

Reduced affinity of penicillin-binding proteins for cefuroxime.

Outer membrane impermeability, which restricts access of cefuroxime to penicillin binding proteins in Gram-negative bacteria.

Bacterial efflux pumps.

Organisms that have acquired resistance to other injectable cephalosporins are expected to be resistant to cefuroxime. Depending on the mechanism of resistance, organisms with acquired resistance to penicillins may demonstrate reduced susceptibility or resistance to cefuroxime.

Breakpoints

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints established by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) are as follows

1 Breakpoints are based on high dose therapy (1.5 g x 3).

2 Susceptibility of staphylococci to cephalosporins is inferred from the cefoxitin susceptibility except for cefixime, ceftazidme, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftibuten and ceftolozane-tazobactam, which do not have breakpoints and should not be used for staphylococcal infections.

3 The susceptibility of streptococci groups A, B, C and G to cephalosporins is inferred from the benzylpenicillin susceptibility.

Microbiological susceptibility

The prevalence of acquired resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, expert advice should be sought when the local prevalence of resistance is known and the utility of the agent in at least some types of infections is questionable.

Cefuroxime is usually active against the following microorganisms in vitro.

Commonly susceptible species__________­______________________

Gram-positive aerobes

Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible) $

Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus mitis (viridans group)__________­________________________­___

Gram-negative aerobes

Haemophilus influenzae

Haemophilus parainfluenzae

Moraxella catarrhalis_________­________________________­_______________

Microorganismsfor which acquired resistance may be a problem

Gram-positive aerobes

Streptococcus pneumoniae___________­________________________­_______

Gram-negative aerobes

Citrobacter freundii

Enterobacter cloacae

Enterobacter aerogenes

Escherichia coli

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Proteus mirabilis

Proteus spp. (other than P. vulgaris)

Providencia spp.

Salmonella spp.___________­________________________­______________________

Gram-positive anaerobes

Peptostreptococcus spp.

Propionibacterium spp.___________­________________________­____________

Gram-negative anaerobes

Fusobacterium spp.

Bacteroides spp.___________­________________________­_____________________

Inherently resistant microorganisms__________­________________

Gram-positive aerobes

Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecium__________­________________________­____________

Gram-negative aerobes

Acinetobacter spp.

Morganella morganii

Proteus vulgaris

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Serratia marcescens___________­________________________­_______________

Gram-positive anaerobes

Clostridium difficile__________­________________________­______________________

Gram-negative anaerobes

Bacteroides , fragilis_________­________________________­_______________________

Others

Chlamydia spp.

Legionella spp.

Mycoplasma spp.

$

All methicillin-resistant S. aureus are resistant to cefuroxime.

In vitro the activities of cefuroxime sodium and aminoglycoside antibiotics in combination have been shown to be at least additive with occasional evidence of synergy.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

After intramuscular (IM) injection of cefuroxime to normal volunteers, the mean peak serum concentrations ranged from 27 to 35 pg/ml for a 750 mg dose and from 33 to 40 pg/ml for a 1000 mg dose, and were achieved within 30 to 60 minutes after administration. Following intravenous (IV) doses of 750 and 1500 mg, serum concentrations were approximately 50 and 100 pg/ml, respectively, at 15 minutes.

AUC and Cmax appear to increase linearly with increase in dose over the single dose range of 250 to 1000 mg following IM and IV administration. There was no evidence of accumulation of cefuroxime in the serum from normal volunteers following repeat intravenous administration of 1500 mg doses every 8 hours.

Distribution

Protein binding has been stated as 33 to 50%, depending on the methodology used. The average volume of distribution ranges from 9.3 to 15.8 l/1.73 m2 following IM or IV administration over the dosage range of 250 to 1000 mg. Concentrations of cefuroxime in excess of the minimum inhibitory levels for common pathogens can be achieved in the tonsilla, sinus tissues, bronchial mucosa, bone, pleural fluid, joint fluid, synovial fluid, interstitial fluid, bile, sputum and aqueous humour. Cefuroxime passes the blood-brain barrier when the meninges are inflamed.

Biotransformation

Cefuroxime is not metabolised.

Elimination

Cefuroxime is excreted by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. The serum half-life after either intramuscular or intravenous injection is approximately 70 minutes. There is an almost complete recovery (85 to 90%) of unchanged cefuroxime in urine within 24 hours of administration. The majority of the cefuroxime is excreted within the first 6 hours. The average renal clearance ranges from 114 to 170 ml/min/1.73 m2 following IM or IV administration over the dosage range of 250 to 1000 mg.

Special patient populations

Gender

No differences in the pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime were observed between males and females following a single IV bolus injection of 1000 mg of cefuroxime as the sodium salt.

Elderly

Following IM or IV administration, the absorption, distribution and excretion of cefuroxime in elderly patients are similar to younger patients with equivalent renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in cefuroxime dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function (see section 4.2).

Paediatrics

The serum half-life of cefuroxime has been shown to be substantially prolonged in neonates according to gestational age. However, in older infants (aged >3 weeks) and in children, the serum half-life of 60 to 90 minutes is similar to that observed in adults.

Renal impairment

Cefuroxime is primarily excreted by the kidneys. As with all such antibiotics, in patients with markedly impaired renal function (i.e. C1cr < 20 ml/minute) it is recommended that the dosage of cefuroxime should be reduced to compensate for its slower excretion (see section 4.2). Cefuroxime is effectively removed by haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Hepatic impairment

Since cefuroxime is primarily eliminated by the kidney, hepatic dysfunction is not expected to have an effect on the pharmacokinetics of cefuroxime.

PK/PD relationship

For cephalosporins, the most important pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic index correlating with in vivo efficacy has been shown to be the percentage of the dosing interval (%T) that the unbound concentration remains above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cefuroxime for individual target species (i.e. %T > MIC).

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and toxicity to reproduction and development. No carcinogenicity studies have been performed; however, there is no evidence to suggest carcinogenic potential.

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase activity in rat urine is inhibited by various cephalosporins, however the level of inhibition is less with cefuroxime. This may have significance in the interference in clinical laboratory tests in humans.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

None

6.2 Incompatibilities

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products and other solutions for injection or infusion except those mentioned in section 6.6. Cefuroxime should not be mixed with aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Mixing of cefuroxime with sodium hydrogen carbonate solutions significantly affects the colour of the solution. Therefore, this solution is not recommended for the dilution of cefuroxime. If required, the cefuroxime solution in water for injections can be introduced into the tubing of the giving set in patients receiving sodium bicarbonate solution by infusion.

For information about compatible solutions, please see section 6.6.

6.3 Shelf life

2 years

Shelf-life of the prepared solution

The chemical and physical stability of the prepared solution has been demonstrated for 3 hours at 25°C and for 12 hours at 5°C. From a microbiological point of view, the prepared solution should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25°C. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions after reconstitution, see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Cefuroxime 750 mg is supplied in 15 ml colourless type I glass vials closed with chlorobutyl rubber stoppers and flip-off seal.

Pack sizes: Packages with 1, 5 or 10 vials.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Table 4: Addition volumes and solution concentrations, which may be useful when  fractional doses are required.

Addition volumes and solution concentrations, which may be useful when fractional doses are required

The resulting volume of the solution of cefuroxime in reconstitution

medium is increased due the displacement factor of the drug substance resulting in the listed concentrations in mg/ml.

Preparation of the solution for injection

For the preparation of the solution, Cefuroxime 750 mg is dissolved in at least 6 ml of water for injections.

The intravenous injection should be carried out slowly over a time of 3–5 minutes.

Intramuscular Injection

Add 3 ml water for injections to Cefuroxime 750 mg.

In order to avoid pain caused by the volume of the injected solution, not more than 5 ml should be injected per site.

Compatibility with intravenous liquids

The following solvents are suitable for preparation of the solution:

– water for injections

– 5% glucose solution

– physiological sodium chloride solution.

The reconstituted solution is yellowish to brownish. Differences in colour and intensity do not have any influence on the safety and efficacy.

As for all parenteral medicinal products, inspect the reconstituted solution visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The solution should only be used if the solution is clear and practically free from particles.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

MIP Pharma GmbH

Kirkeler Str. 41

66440 Blieskastel

Germany