Abstract

Skin reactions pose a great challenge to the treating physician in the differential diagnosis. Cefuroxime with a good profile has the potential of being used as empirical therapy for a range of community acquired infections. The purpose of the review was to identify and assess various cases of drug eruptions caused by cefuroxime. The review was conducted in compliance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. A total of nine case reports were included for the current systematic review in which the drug dose ranged from 500 mg/d to 1000 mg/d. The treatment duration varied from 1 d to 15 d across the studies. The indications for treatment were as per Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The presentation of the skin reactions was found to be symmetric in nature either in the form of erythematous rash alone or along with inflamed erosions and oozing. There was no fatal case reported. In most of the cases, the reaction subsided on the withdrawal of the intervening drug. The use of multiple doses of cefuroxime is prone to cause drug eruptions. Further research is necessary to understand the occurrence of reaction to prevent misdiagnosis of such reactions. Patients on antibiotics should be subjected to counseling on discharge regarding the occurrence of adverse drug reactions for better patient safety and qualitative care.