Cefuroxime-induced fever

Abstract

Objective: To report on three patients with cefuroxime-induced fever.

Case summaries: Recurrence of fever was noted in three patients after five to seven days of cefuroxime sodium therapy for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. No source of infection was found and the fevers resolved within 30 hours of drug discontinuation. One patient was rechallenged; the same pattern of fever resulted.

Discussion: Fever secondary to cephalosporin administration is reviewed and the place of cephalosporins in the differential diagnosis of fever is postulated.

Conclusions: Cefuroxime should be added to the list of cephalosporins that induce fever.