Ceftibuten

Ceftibuten is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis along with ear and throat infections. Ceftibuten 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 a capsule and oral (by mouth) suspension form taken once daily. The oral suspension should be taken 2 hours before a meal or at least 1 hour after a meal.

Common side effects of ceftibuten include nausea, headache, diarrhea, and upset stomach. Ceftibuten can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how ceftibuten affects you.

Ceftibuten is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis along with ear and throat infections.

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

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

The ceftibuten dose your doctor recommends will be based on the following:

• 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
• your age

The recommended dose range for ceftibuten is 90 mg to 400 mg once daily.

Serious side effects have been reported with ceftibuten 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. Ceftibuten 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 ceftibuten for the duration prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take ceftibuten if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

Common side effects of ceftibuten include:

• nausea
• headache
• diarrhea
• upset stomach
• dizziness
• stomach pain
• vomiting

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

Serious side effects have been reported with ceftibuten. 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:

• aminoglycosides such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), and tobramycin (Nebcin)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• probenecid (Probalan, Benemid)
• methotrexate (Trexall, Rheumatrex)
• birth control pills
• theophylline (Theobid, Theo-Dur, Lanophyllin)
• antacids such as Tums and Citracal
• H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid)

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

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.

Ceftibuten falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with ceftibuten. 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 ceftibuten 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 ceftibuten.

Finish all doses of ceftibuten even if you feel well.

The oral solution form should be taken 2 hours before a meal or at least 1 hour after a meal.

Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics. Sometimes patients can develop watery and bloody stools 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.