Zinnat Tablet: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan

Zinnat Tablet (Cefuroxime) Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan

1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)

2. What is Zinnat Tablet?

Zinnat Tablet contains Cefuroxime axetil — a 2nd-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is a beta-lactam antibiotic that kills bacteria by stopping bacterial cell wall synthesis (bactericidal). It provides greater Gram-negative coverage than first-generation cephalosporins and is beta-lactamase stable. The "axetil" form is an oral prodrug — converted to active cefuroxime in the body.

Important: Zinnat tablet must be taken with food — absorption is significantly better with food.

3. Uses

• Respiratory tract infections: sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Otitis media
• Lyme disease (where present)
• Gonorrhoea (uncomplicated)

4. Who Should Take

• Patients with bacterial respiratory infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia)
• Patients with UTI — on a doctor-prescribed course
• Patients with bacterial ear infections (otitis media)
• Doctor-prescribed cases of skin infections

5. When NOT to Take

• Confirmed allergy to cefuroxime or any cephalosporin
• Severe penicillin allergy
• Viral infections (common cold, flu) — antibiotics do not work on viruses
• Without a doctor's prescription

6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)

• As prescribed — doctor decides dose based on diagnosis

• As prescribed — doctor sets strength (125mg / 250mg / 500mg) and course duration

• Do not exceed the recommended limit; toxicity risk with probenecid

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is close, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose. Complete the full course.

7. How to Take

• MUST BE TAKEN WITH FOOD — absorption is significantly better with food
• Swallow the whole tablet with water — crushing it makes the taste very unpleasant
• Take as per the doctor's prescribed schedule
• Do not take with antacids — absorption is reduced

8. Best Time

• With food — breakfast, lunch, or dinner — whichever the doctor has scheduled
• Take every dose with food

9. Empty Stomach or After Food

• Zinnat should ALWAYS be taken with food. Absorption is considerably reduced on an empty stomach — treatment may be less effective. This differs from most antibiotics.

10. Warnings (Ihtiyat)

• Allergy to cefuroxime or cephalosporins
• Severe penicillin allergy — consult doctor first

• Severe watery or bloody diarrhea or fever during or after antibiotics — see a doctor IMMEDIATELY. This may be C. difficile colitis — serious and treatable but delay is dangerous.

• Complete the course even if feeling better — incomplete courses increase antibiotic resistance.

• Always inform the doctor if there is a history of penicillin allergy — cross-reactivity is approximately 1-2%.

11. Precautions (Ahm ehtiyaat)

• Store below 25°C
• Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
• Keep out of the reach of children

• Theoretical reduced efficacy of oral contraceptives — consider alternative contraception during the antibiotic course

• INR monitoring is required if taking warfarin

12. Side Effects (Nuksanat)

• Diarrhea / GI upset (very common — cephalosporins class effect), Nausea, Headache, Dizziness, Candida overgrowth (oral thrush, vaginal thrush — longer courses), Abnormal LFTs

• Severe allergic reaction / anaphylaxis (rare — stop immediately, emergency), C. diff colitis, Haemolytic anaemia, Nephrotoxicity (rare)

13. Drug Interactions

• Antacids — reduce cefuroxime absorption; do not take together
• Warfarin — risk of raised INR; monitoring required
• Probenecid — raises cefuroxime levels; toxicity risk
• Oral contraceptives — theoretical reduced efficacy during antibiotic course

Antibiotic resistance increases if the full course is not completed.

14. When to See Doctor

• Severe rash, urticaria, swelling, breathing difficulty (anaphylaxis — EMERGENCY)
• Severe watery or bloody diarrhea
• Severe jaundice / liver symptoms (hepatotoxicity)
• Symptoms not better within 3 days — antibiotic resistance or wrong diagnosis

15. Alternatives

16. Price in Pakistan

17. FAQs

Q: What is Zinnat used for?

A: Zinnat (Cefuroxime axetil) is a 2nd-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Doctors prescribe it for respiratory infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia), UTI, ear infections, and skin infections.

Q: What are the side effects of Cefuroxime?

A: Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, headache, and Candida overgrowth (thrush). Serious: allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) or C. diff colitis — see a doctor immediately for severe or bloody diarrhea.

Q: Why must Zinnat be taken with food?

A: Cefuroxime axetil is an oral prodrug — taking it with food significantly improves its absorption. Taking it on an empty stomach reduces the drug's effect. This is a special characteristic of this antibiotic.

Q: What is the price of Zinnat in Pakistan?

A: Zinnat by GSK Pakistan is a branded antibiotic — price varies by pharmacy and strength. Confirm the updated price from Dawaai.pk or a local registered pharmacy.

Q: Is Cefuroxime safe with a penicillin allergy?

A: Cross-reactivity between cefuroxime and penicillin is approximately 1-2%. If there is a history of penicillin allergy, always inform the doctor — they can consider an alternative antibiotic or assess the severity of the allergy.

18. Medical Review

Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated: 2026-06-17

19. Disclaimer

The information on this page is for awareness only. It is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. PakVita is not responsible for any harm.