There are described compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group and R.sub.3 represents a C.sub.1-4 alkyl group with the proviso that, when both R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent hydrogen atoms, R.sub.3 represents other than a methyl group. These cefuroxime esters are valuable as providing orally administrable forms of the antibiotic cefuroxime. Methods of preparing cefuroxime esters, pharmaceutical compositions containing the esters and methods for their use in medicine are also described. Novel intermediates for use in the preparation of the cefuroxime esters are also described.