Cefixime

Cefixime is a prescription medication used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria, such as Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis, Ear Infection (Otitis Media), Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis, Uncomplicated Gonorrhea, and Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection. 

Cefixime is available under the following different brand names: Suprax

Dosages of Cefixime:

Adult dosages:

Capsule

• 400mg

Tablet, chewable

• 100mg
• 200mg

Oral suspension

• 100mg/5mL
• 200mg/5mL
• 500mg/5mL

Pediatric dosages:

• Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 6 months of age. 
• 6 months-12 years (weighing less than 99 pounds or 45 kilos): 8 mg orally daily in a single dose or divided every 12 hours
• 12 years (weighing more than 99 pounds or 45 kilos): 400 mg orally daily in a single dose or divided every 12 hours

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Cefixime include:

• stomach upset or pain, 
• diarrhea, 
• nausea, 
• constipation, 
• loss of appetite, 
• gas, 
• headache, 
• dizziness, 
• anxiety, 
• drowsiness, 
• increased night-time urination, 
• runny nose, 
• sore throat, 
• cough, and
• vaginal itching or discharge

Serious side effects of Cefixime include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing, 
• swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• severe stomach pain, 
• diarrhea (that is watery or bloody), 
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), 
• pale or yellowed skin, 
• dark-colored urine, 
• confusion, 
• weakness, 
• seizure, 
• sudden weakness, 
• ill-feeling, 
• fever, 
• chills, 
• flu-like symptoms, 
• swollen gums, 
• mouth sores, 
• skin sores, 
• rapid heart rate, 
• easy bruising, 
• unusual bleeding, 
• lightheadedness, 
• little or no urination, 
• painful or difficulty in urination, 
• swelling in your feet or ankles, 
• tiredness, 
• shortness of breath (dyspnea), 
• sore throat, 
• burning in the eyes, and
• skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling 

Rare side effects of Cefixime include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Cefixime has no known severe interactions with other drugs
• Cefixime has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • BCG vaccine live,
  • cholera vaccine, and
  • typhoid vaccine live
• Cefixime has moderate interactions with the following drugs: 
  • bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens, 
  • dienogest/estradiol valerate, 
  • estradiol, 
  • ethinylestradiol, 
  • levonorgestrel oral/ethinylestradiol/ferrous bisglycinate, 
  • probenecid, 
  • sodium picosulfate/magnesium oxide/anhydrous citric acid, 
  • voclosporin, and
  • warfarin
• Cefixime has mild interactions with at least 12 other drugs

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects.  Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drugs interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use.  Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist.  Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

• Keep out of reach of children.  In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately

Contraindications

• documented hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefixime?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefixime?”

Cautions

• Limited activity against anaerobes
• Dosage must be adjusted in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity, including seizures); superinfections and promotion of non-susceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy
• Use with caution in patients with a history of penicillin allergy
• Bacterial or fungal overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms may occur with prolonged or repeated therapy
• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia reported; monitor hematologic parameters during and for 2 to 3 weeks after therapy; discontinue therapy if hemolytic anemia occurs during treatment
• Phenylalanine can be harmful to patients with phenylketonuria (PKU); chewable tablets contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine; before prescribing, consider the combined daily amount of phenylalanine from all sources, including chewable tablets
• Use caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal disease
• Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) reported with the use of nearly all antibacterial agents, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis; if CDAD is suspected or confirmed, discontinue ongoing antibacterial drug use not directed against C. difficile; institute appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial drug treatment of C. difficile, and surgical evaluation as clinically indicated
• Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia reported; monitor hematologic parameters during and for 2 to 3 weeks after therapy; discontinue therapy if hemolytic anemia occurs during treatment
• Cephalosporins may be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity; patients with renal or hepatic impairment, or poor nutritional state, patients receiving a protracted course of antimicrobial therapy, and patients previously stabilized on anticoagulant therapy; monitor prothrombin time in patients at risk and exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated
• May cause acute renal failure including tubulointerstitial nephritis; discontinue therapy if renal failure occurs and initiate supportive therapy
• Severe cutaneous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, epidermal necrolysis, and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) reported; discontinue therapy and implement supportive therapy if a reaction occurs

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Available data from published observational studies in pregnant women have not established drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. 
• There are no available data on the presence of drugs in human milk, effects on the breastfed infant, or milk production. Developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from drug or mother’s underlying condition.