Cefuroxime - a new cephalosporin antibiotic.

Cefuroxime is a new broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic for administration by injection. It is stable to most beta-lactamases. It is active against gram-positive organisms, including penicillinase-producing staphylococci, and has wide activity against gram-negative bacilli including Enterobacter and many strains of indole-positive Proteus spp. The substance is also highly active against Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Studies on human volunteers showed that it produced high, long-lasting blood levels with virtually complete recovery of unchanged antibiotic in the urine. No evidence of toxicity due to cefuroxime was found. Slight, short-lived pain followed intramuscular injection, and the compound was well tolerated intravenously.