Cefuroxime, sold under the brand name Zinacef among others, is a second-generation cephalosporin[3] antibiotic used to treat and prevent a number of bacterial infections.

[4] These include pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and Lyme disease.

[5] Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions, and pain at the site of injection.

[6] It is a second-generation cephalosporin and works by interfering with a bacteria's ability to make a cell wall resulting in its death.

[9][10] Cefuroxime is active against many bacteria including susceptible strains of Staphylococci and Streptococci, as well as a range of gram negative organisms.