Cefixime

Cefixime is an antibiotic and treats infection. Finish taking all of your medication. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking medication unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Cefixime Overview

Reviewed: July 18, 2013
Updated: 

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.

How was your experience with Cefixime?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Cefixime?

What are you taking Cefixime for?

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  • Other
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Bronchitis
  • Escherichia Coli Infections
  • Gonorrhea
  • Haemophilus Infections
  • Klebsiella Infections
  • Otitis Media
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial
  • Proteus Infections
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial
  • Soft Tissue Infections
  • Staphylococcal Infections
  • Streptococcal Infections
  • Urinary Tract Infections

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Cefixime work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Cefixime to a friend?

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Cefixime Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautions

Uses of Cefixime

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 Brand Names

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

Cefixime Drug Class

Cefixime is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Cefixime

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.

Cefixime Interactions

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.

 

Cefixime Precautions

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)

Cefixime Food Interactions

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.

Inform MD

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.

Cefixime and Pregnancy

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.

Cefixime and Lactation

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.

Cefixime Usage

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.

 

Cefixime Dosage

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.

 

Cefixime Overdose

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.

Other Requirements

  • 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.