Zinnat Suspension

How to take Zinnat

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take Zinnat exactly as you have been told by your doctor.
• Take each dose with or just after food, or a meal.
• Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.
• Space the doses evenly throughout the day. Keep taking this medicine until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop. This is to prevent the infection from coming back.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

What is it used for?

• Bacterial infections of the lungs (chest or lower respiratory tract), eg acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia.
• Bacterial infection of the nasal passages, sinuses or throat (upper respiratory tract infection), eg sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis.
• Bacterial infections of the ear, eg otitis media.
• Bacterial infections of the urinary tract, eg cystitis, inflammation of the urethra due to infection (urethritis), kidney infections (pyelonephritis).
• Gonorrhoea.
• Inflammation of the cervix due to bacterial infection (cervicitis).
• Bacterial infections of the skin or soft tissue, eg boils, abscesses, impetigo.
• Lyme disease in adults and children over 12 years of age.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just bcause a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea.
• Abdominal pain.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Prolonged treatment with antibiotics can sometimes cause overgrowth of other organisms that are not susceptible to the antibiotic, for example fungi or yeasts such as Candida. This may sometimes cause infections such as thrush. Tell your doctor if you think you have developed a new infection during or after having treatment with this antibiotic.
• Temporary rise in liver enzymes.

Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people):

• Vomiting.
• Decreased numbers of white blood cells or platelets in the blood.
• Skin rashes.

Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people):

• Nettle-type rash (hives).
• Itching.
• Bowel infection resulting in inflammation of the bowel lining (pseudomembranous colitis).

Very rare (affect less than 1 in 10,000 people):

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
• Inflammation of the kidneys (interstitial nephritis).
• An extreme allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
• Severe allergic skin reactions.
• Fever.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking other medicines

• If you are taking more than one medicine they may interact with each other. At times your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, in other cases this may not be appropriate.
• The decision to use medicines that interact depends on your specific circumstances. Your prescriber may decide to use medicines that interact, if it is believed that the benefits of taking the medicines together outweigh the risks. In such cases, it may be necessary to alter your dose or monitor you more closely.
• Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.

The following medicines may interact with Zinnat:

• probenecid

The following types of medicine may interact with Zinnat:

• oestrogens
• oral contraceptives

If you are taking Zinnat and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

Alcohol

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines. In the case of Zinnat:

• there are no known interactions between alcohol and Zinnat

How to store Zinnat

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store cefuroxime tablets in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Store cefuroxime oral liquid in a refrigerator and do not use it after the expiry date shown on the label.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children

Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Cefuroxime.htm

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/infections/medicines/zinnat.html

http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?

http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/z/zinnat.pdf

http://www.medicines.ie/medicine/6763/SPC/Zinnat+500mg+Film-Coated+Tablets/

http://www.mims.com/home/index?aspxerrorpath=/malaysia/drug/info/Zinnat/

http://www.drugs.com/uk/zinnat-tablets-500mg-leaflet.html

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/2669/SPC