Cefixime

Cefixime is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, urinary tract, ears, throat, and infections that cause gonorrhea. Cefixime belongs to a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics, which work to stop the growth of bacteria in the body.

This medication is available in tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and oral (by mouth) suspension forms and is taken once or twice daily, with or without food.

Common side effects of cefixime include rash, diarrhea, nausea, loose stools, and upset stomach.

Cefixime is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the lungs, urinary tract, ears, throat, and infections that cause gonorrhea.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cefixime may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Suprax

Common side effects of cefixime include rash, diarrhea, nausea, loose stools, and upset stomach.

This is not a complete list of cefixime side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with cefixime. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• carbamazepime (Equetro, Tegretol)
• anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• probenecid (Probalan, Benemid)
• methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex)
• birth control pills

This is not a complete list of cefixime drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with cefixime including:

• hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). Signs of a hypersensitivity reaction, which include the following:
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • fainting
  • rash
• diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics, and it usually ends when the antibacterial is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as 2 or more months after having taken their last dose of the antibacterial. If diarrhea is severe or lasts more than 2 or 3 days, contact your doctor, as this may be a sign of an infection of the bowels.
• superinfection. Cefixime should not be used for extended periods. Prolonged use can lead to the growth of dangerous organisms that are resistant or unresponsive to this medication. Take cefixime for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
• bleeding abnormalities. Your health care provider may want to monitor lab tests that show how well your blood is able to clot or that measure your tendency to bleed. Any abnormalities or irregularities that may occur may be more common in those with kidney dysfunction.

Do not take cefixime if you:

• are allergic to cefixime or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to similar antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins)

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of cefixime, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking cefixime, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to cefixime or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to similar antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins)
• have gastrointestinal (stomach and bowel) problems, especially colitis
• have liver problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cefixime falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with cefixime. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if cefixime crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using cefixime.

Take cefixime exactly as prescribed.

This medication is available in tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and oral (by mouth) suspension forms and is taken once or twice daily, with or without food.

Chewable Tablets must be chewed or crushed before swallowing.

Ear infections should be treated with the chewable tablets or suspension forms of cefixime. Clinical trials were done with the chewable tablets or suspension, and the chewable tablets or suspension resulted in better blood levels of cefixime than the tablet when given at the same dose.

Therefore, the tablet or capsule should not be substituted for the chewable tablets or suspension in the treatment of ear infections.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of cefixime at the same time.

Take cefixime exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The cefixime dose your doctor recommends will be based on (use any or all that apply):

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your kidney function
• your weight

The recommended dose for cefixime in adults is 400 mg once a day or divided into two doses (200 mg each dose).

The recommended dose range for cefixime in children (weighing 44 kg or less or are 12 years of age or less) is 8 mg/kg once a day or 4 mg/kg twice a day.

If you take too much cefixime call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If cefixime is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store cefixime (prior to reconstitution) between 2-25˚C (36-77˚F).
• Protect from light.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.