Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime is a prescription drug used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Cefpodoxime is known as a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Cefpodoxime treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (common cold, flu). Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.

Cefpodoxime is available under the following different brand names: Vantin.

Dosages of Cefpodoxime:

Adult and Pediatric Dosages:

Oral suspension

• 50 mg/5 ml
• 100 mg/5 ml

Tablet

• 100 mg
• 200 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Acute Bronchitis and Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

• 200 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Acute Community-Acquired Pneumonia

• 200 mg orally every 12 hours for 14 days

Acute Maxillary Sinusitis

Adult

• 200 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Pediatric

• Infants under 2 months: safety and efficacy not established
• Infants 2 months – Children 12 years: 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days; individual doses not to exceed 200 mg
• Children over 12 years: 200 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis

Adult

• 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days

Pediatric

• Infants under 2 months: safety and efficacy not established
• Infants 2 months – Children 12 years: 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days; individual doses not to exceed 100 mg
• Children over 12 years: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 5-10 days

Skin/Skin Structure Infections

• 400 mg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days

Gonorrhea

• Uncomplicated gonorrhea in men and women; rectal gonococcal infections in women
• 200 mg orally once

Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

• 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days

Acute Otitis Media

Pediatric

• Infants under 2 months: safety and efficacy not established
• Infants 2 months – Children 12 years: 5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 5 days; individual doses not to exceed 200 mg
• Children over 12 years: 200 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 days

Dosing Modifications

Renal impairment

• Creatinine clearance under 30 ml/min: give every 24 hours
• Hemodialysis: give 3 times weekly after dialysis

Hepatic impairment

• Dosage adjustment is not necessary

Dosing Considerations

Susceptible organisms

• Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella spp, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Proteus mirabilis, staphylococci, group A beta-hemolytic Streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes

Common side effects of cefpodoxime include:

• abdominal pain
• anxiety
• back pain
• bloating
• body aches
• chest tightness
• chills
• confusion or weakness
• constipation
• cough
• dark-colored urine
• diaper rash in an infant taking liquid cefpodoxime
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fast or pounding heartbeats
• feeling like you might pass out
• feeling restless or hyperactive
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion)
• fever
• flu symptoms
• fungal skin rash
• gas
• headache
• headache with severe blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• mild itching
• muscle pain
• nausea
• nervousness
• numbness or tingly feeling, warmth or redness under the skin
• pale or yellowed skin
• rapid weight gain
• rash
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash
• sore throat
• spinning sensation (vertigo)
• stiff or tight muscles
• stomach pain
• strange dreams, nightmares
• stuffy nose
• swelling
• tired feeling
• trouble breathing
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth
• urinating less than usual or not all
• vaginal itching or discharge
• vomiting
• watery or bloody diarrhea
• wheezing
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, 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.

Cefpodoxime has no known severe interactions with other drugs.

Serious interactions of cefpodoxime include:

• argatroban
• BCG vaccine live
• bivalirudin
• cholera vaccine
• dalteparin
• enoxaparin
• fondaparinux
• heparin
• lepirudin
• warfarin

Cefpodoxime has moderate interactions with 28 different drugs.

Minor interactions of cefpodoxime include:

• ceftibuten
• ceftizoxime
• choline magnesium trisalicylate
• furosemide
• rose hips
• Willow bark

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. 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, or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

This medication contains cefpodoxime. Do not take Vantin if you are allergic to cefpodoxime or any ingredients contained in this drug.

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 Cefpodoxime?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefpodoxime?"

Cautions

• Reduce dosage by 50% if Creatinine Clearance is 10-30 mL/min and by 75% if Creatinine Clearance is lower than 10 mL/minute (high dosages may cause central nervous system toxicity).
• Bacterial or fungal overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms may occur with prolonged or repeated therapy.
• Use caution in patients with a history of penicillin allergy.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Cefpodoxime may be acceptable for use during pregnancy. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies are not available or animal studies showed minor risk and human studies were done and showed no risk.
• Cefpodoxime is excreted into breast milk in low concentrations; it is not recommended if breastfeeding.