• What your medicine does

Zinnat suspension contains cefuroxime which is one of a group of medicines called antibiotics.

Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria or "germs" which cause infections. Your doctor has prescribed this medicine because he has found that you have an infection. This can be cleared up if you take this in the proper way.

• What your medicine contains

When made up with water each 5ml spoonful contains:

The active ingredient - cefuroxime (as the axetil) 1 25mg.

Other ingredients - stearic acid, sugar (sucrose), polyvidone and tutti-frutti flavouring.

The suspension does not contain any preservatives or colouring agents.

• Product licence holder and manufacturer

Product Licence held by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Limited, Stockley Park, England, UB11 1BT

Manufactured by Glaxo Operations UK Limited, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, England

• Before you take your medicine
• Have you been told you are allergic to Zinnat, cefuroxime or any of the other ingredients, or other antibiotics?
• Do you think you may be pregnant
• Are you breast feeding?

IF THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS IS YES:

• Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit?

IF YOU DID NOT THEN YOU SHOULD DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND BEFORE STARTING THE MEDICINE.

If you are pregnant, breast feeding or allergic to other antibiotics, your doctor may still want you to take the medicine. For example, if you are allergic to penicillin your doctor may decide that you can take this sort of antibiotic.

• How to take your medicine

Look at the label - it should say WHO should take it, HOW MUCH and WHEN. If it does not say all this or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If prescribed for a CHILD make sure the medicine is taken as the label says.

The usual dose is 125mg twice a day for a child or 250mg twice a day for an adult taken for seven days. Shake the bottle vigorously before each dose.

Zinnat suspension works better if taken with food. The dose can be taken straight from a spoon or mixed with cold children's drinks such as fruit juice or milk. Do not mix with hot drinks.

• What to do if you miss a dose

If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as possible. Then go on as before.

• What to do if an overdose is taken

It is important to stick to the dose on the label of your medicine. Taking more than this dose is unlikely to be dangerous unless the suspension is taken all at once. In that case do not delay, ask your doctor what to do or contact your nearest hospital emergency department

• After starting to take your medicine

BE SURE TO TAKE THE MEDICINE UNTIL IT HAS ALL GONE. DON'T STOP JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL BETTER; THE MEDICINE MAY NOT HAVE KILLED ALL THE GERMS AND YOU MAY START TO FEEL UNWELL AGAIN.

Most people find taking this medicine causes no problems As with most medicines, a few people may find they have side effects. If you have any blood tests, remind the doctor you are taking Zinnat suspension.

• Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause unwanted effects. Most people taking this medicine find it causes no problems. As with other antibiotics, some people find they have an allergy to it and, during treatment, it can cause changes to the results of blood tests.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• sudden wheeziness and tightness of chest
• swelling of eyelids, face or lips
• skin lumps or hives

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Uncommon

• sickly feeling
• diarrhoea
• headache
• skin rash (red spots)

If you feel unwell or have any unusual discomfort you don't understand, it is important to tell your doctor as soon as possible.

• If you do not get better

If you have taken all the medicine and do not feel better TELL YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

• Where to keep your medicine

Keep Zinnat suspension away from heat and light which could spoil it.

As with all medicines, keep Zinnat suspension safely away from children. A child may be harmed by medicine prescribed for someone else.

• What to do with any unused medicine

If your doctor stops your treatment, return any unused medicine to a pharmacist. Only keep your medicine if your doctor tells you to.

Once dispensed by your pharmacist, the suspension will only keep for 10 days. The pack should not be dispensed after the expiry date printed on the bottle label or carton.

• How to take your medicine

Look at the label - it should say WHO should take it, HOW MUCH and WHEN. If it doesn’t say all this or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If prescribed for a CHILD make sure the medicine is taken as the label says.

The usual dose is 1 25mg twice a day for a child or 250mg twice a day for an adult taken for seven days.

Zinnat suspension works better if taken with food. Do not mix with hot drinks.