Cefuroxime (Ceftin) Medication

Ceftin (Cefuroxime axetil) is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, cephalosporin antibiotic.
Cefuroxime Axetil is indicated for the treatment of the infections, including:

• Respiratory tract infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin and skin structures infections
• Uncomplicated gonorrhea
• Otitis media
• Pharyngitis
• Tonsillitis
• Early Lyme Disease (erythema migrans)

Ceftin (Cefuroxime) Advantages & Benefits

• Convenient dosing regimen - twice daily.
• Cefuroxime axetil produces less gastrointestinal side effects than some other widely used antibiotics.
• Quite active against most penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci as well as beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae (the bacteria that causes otitis media, bronchitis and sinusitis)1.
• May be taken with food. Absorption enhanced by food.
• The only second-generation agent labeled for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI).
• Safe for use in children.

Ceftin (Cefuroxime) Drawbacks

• More expensive than first-generation cephalosporins or penicillins.

How does Cefuroxime work?

It is bactericidal. Cefuroxime, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Ceftin (Cefuroxime) for bronchitis treatment

Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, the airways that connect the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs.
Bronchitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting):

• Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. Sometimes, you may get a secondary bacterial infection. This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus. The already inflamed area is one in which bacteria like to grow. A person often has a combination of bacterial and viral bronchitis.
• Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition of excessive mucus secretion in the bronchi and a chronic or recurrent mucus-producing cough that lasts three or more months and recurs year after year. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking.

The most common symptoms of bronchitis include:

• cough that produces mucus (if yellow-green in color, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection)
• wheezing
• fever (usually mild)
• shortness of breath worsened by exertion or mild activity
• chest discomfort

Anyone can get acute bronchitis, but infants, young children, and the elderly are more likely to get this disease because people in these age groups generally have weaker immune systems.

Antibiotics are used to treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection and may be given as a precaution to people with underlying lung disease, even when there is no evidence of bacterial infection. Newer antibiotics, such as cephalosporins (cefuroxime), macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin) are highly effective.

Ceftin (Cefuroxime axetil) Alternatives - Natural Antibiotics

• Garlic
  Garlic is a natural antibiotic. It has been used for thousands of year in folk medicine as an "infection fighther". Garlic is active against common food pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes) and has potential for the preservation of processed foods3.
• Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
  Oregano is a potent natural antibiotic. The body of positive evidence for oregano oil as a major antibiotic is growing. Oil of oregano at relatively low doses is efficacious against Staphylococcus bacteria and comparable in its germ-killing properties to antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin2. Oil of oregano exhibite great antibacterial action against common pathogenic bacteria such as Staph, E. coli and Listeria.
• Thyme
  Most present day research has centered on thyme's ability as an antibacterial and anti-infectious agent. It is used to treat different infections including coughs, colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, flu, chest infections, and gastroenteritis4. It also enhances immunity and helps the body fight against infection.
• Eucalyptus
  Eucalyptus has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and decongesting properties, and has been used traditionally to treat asthma, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sinusitis5. The oil from eucalyptus is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, and has been used topically to treat skin and dental infections, and to prevent cavities.
  
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
  Traditionally, turmeric has been taken orally as a remedy for bronchitis and other respiratory conditions6. Curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric may promote mucus production, thereby making mucus thinner and possibly easier to eliminate from the body. In addition, curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties may help to relieve lung congestion caused by inflammation. In laboratory and animal studies, turmeric has had activity against a wide range of infective organisms.
• Onions
  In folk medicine, onion is used for colds, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, stingray wounds, warts, acne, urinary tract disorders, and indigestion. Onion has antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal actions. Onion juice or oil also have inhibited growth of other gram-positive bacteria and the gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae.
• Bee Propolis
  Bee propolis, which bees process from the plant and tree resin they gather and use to protect the health of their hives, is a very potent natural antibiotic. It essentially contains resins, balsams, essential oils, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals and pollen. The bactericidal qualities of this medicine have been known since the beginning of written history. Propolis has been proven effective in treating skin conditions, wounds, burns, and in the treatment of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis7. Propolis also helps to boost the immune system.
• Olive leaf extract (calcium elenolate)
  The olive leaf contains a phytochemical called oleuropein, whose active ingredient, elenolic acid has shown powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects. It has proven to be useful in cases of yeast and fungal infections, herpes, chronic fatigue, allergies and psoriasis. Since it works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it is useful against colds, flu, and upper respiratory and sinus infections.

• 1. Jacobs MR, Bajaksouzian S, Windau A, Good CE, Lin G, Pankuch GA, Appelbaum PC. Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis to 17 oral antimicrobial agents based on pharmacodynamic parameters: 1998-2001 U S Surveillance Study. Clin Lab Med. 2004 Jun;24(2):503-30. PubMed
• 2. Nostro A, Blanco AR, Cannatelli MA, Enea V, Flamini G, Morelli I, Sudano Roccaro A, Alonzo V. Abstract Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant staphylococci to oregano essential oil, carvacrol and thymol. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2004 Jan 30;230(2):191-5. PubMed
• 3. Kumar M, Berwal JS. Sensitivity of food pathogens to garlic (Allium sativum). J Appl Microbiol. 1998 Feb;84(2):213-5. PubMed
• 4. Tabak M, Armon R, Potasman I, Neeman I. In vitro inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by extracts of thyme. J Appl Bacteriol. 1996 Jun;80(6):667-72. PubMed
• 5. Cermelli C, Fabio A, Fabio G, Quaglio P. Effect of eucalyptus essential oil on respiratory bacteria and viruses. Curr Microbiol. 2008 Jan;56(1):89-92. Epub 2007 Oct 31. PubMed
• 6. Gilani AH, Shah AJ, Ghayur MN, Majeed K. Pharmacological basis for the use of turmeric in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. Life Sci. 2005 May 13;76(26):3089-105. PubMed
• 7. Stepanovic S, Antic N, Dakic I, Svabic-Vlahovic M. In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and synergism between propolis and antimicrobial drugs. Microbiol Res. 2003;158(4):353-7. PubMed