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Overview

Cefixime

Prescription vs OTC : Prescription by Doctor required

About Cefixime

Cefixime is used to treat infections such as bronchitis (infection of the air tubes to the lungs), gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease) and infections of ear, throat, tonsils etc. This medication also treats the common cold and urinary tract infections.

This medicine only treats bacterial infections and doesn’t work for viral infections like flu. It works as an antibiotic by stopping the growth of bacteria and also killing it. Cefixime usually taken at intervals of 12 or 24 hours. It should be taken at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, it’s better to skip that dose if it’s already too late. Overdosing can cause harmful effects in your body.

It is important to check all the ingredients before the medication. It can help you avoid having allergic reactions later in case you are allergic to any of the ingredients. This medication can be harmful to pregnant women. Hence if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant soon, don’t take Cefixime.

It is best to get approval from the doctor regarding the safety of this medication. Thus notify you doctor if you are:

  • Taking any prescribed drugs or dietary supplements.
  • Having any history of liver disease or kidney problems.

This medication can cause certain side effects too. Some common side effects are: diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. These side effects usually go away on their own. But if these symptoms are severe, you should take medical help.

However, some side effects can be serious and calls for immediate medical attention. These are : stomach cramps, rash, itching, hives, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, swelling of face, tongue throat etc. Cefixime should be stored in a tightly closed container. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat. Keep them out of the reach of children.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the uses of Cefixime

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the contraindications of Cefixime ?

    • Allergy

    • Lidocaine

    • Calcium-containing products

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the side effects of Cefixime ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Key highlights of Cefixime

    • How long is the duration of effect?

      It is excreted in urine and feces and the effect lasts for a duration of up to 20 to 36 hours.

    • What is the onset of action?

      The peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 3 hours of administration via intramuscular injection.

    • Are there any pregnancy warnings?

      Limited data is available on the use of this medication in pregnant women. Use only if clearly needed when benefits overweigh the risk.

    • Is it habit forming?

      No habit forming tendency has been reported.

    • Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

      This medicine can be taken by women who are breastfeeding. Small amounts of medicine are excreted through human breast milk. Monitoring of undesired effects like diarrhea and thrush is necessary.

    • Does this affect kidney function?

      Caution must be taken in patient with kidney disease. Dose adjustment is needed in case of renal impairment.

    • Does this affect liver function?

      Caution must be taken in a patient with liver disease. Dose adjustment is needed in case of Liver impairment. Kindly consult your doctor before taking this medication.

    • Is It safe with alcohol?

      Consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine does not cause any harmful side effects.

    • Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

      This medicine usually does not affect the patients ability to drive.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the dosage instructions?

    • Are there any missed dose instructions?

      The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

    • Are there any overdose instructions?

      Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Where is the Cefixime approved?

    • India

    • United States

    • Japan

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Medicines containing Cefixime

    Below is the list of medicines, which contains Cefixime as ingredient

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    How does this medication work?

    Cefixime belongs to the third-generation cephalosporins. It works as a bactericidal by binding to the penicillin-binding proteins and inhibits the bacterial cell wall synthesis. This, in turn, inhibits the final Transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell walls, thus inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Bacteria eventually lyse due to ongoing activity of cell wall autolytic enzymes (autolysins and murein hydrolases) while cell wall assembly is arrested.

      Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

      What are the interactions of Cefixime ?

      Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

        test
      • Interaction with Alcohol

        Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
      • Interaction with Lab Test

        It may influence the result of following lab tests: Positive direct Coombs', false-positive urinary glucose test using cupric sulfate, false-positive serum or urine creatinine with Jaffé reaction.
      • Interaction with Medicine

        Cholera Vaccine

        Avoid cholera vaccine if the patient has taken Cefixime within 14 days before vaccination. Usage of other antibiotics and vaccines should be reported to the doctor.

        Ethinyl Estradiol

        The desired effect of contraceptive pills will not be achieved if these medicines are taken together. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

        Amikacin

        You may experience nausea or vomiting, increased or decreased urination, sudden weight gain, and fluid retention if these medicines are taken together. This interaction is more likely to occur if you have a kidney disease. Regular kidney function tests are to be performed and appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.

        Cyclosporine

        You may experience vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and headache if these medicines are used together. Regular kidney function tests are to be performed and appropriate dose adjustments or replacement of the medicine should be made under the doctor's supervision.
      • Interaction with Disease

        Colitis

        Avoid taking this medicine if it leads to severe diarrhea, abdominal pain or blood in stools. Inform the doctor if you have any gastrointestinal diseases. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration.

        Seizure Disorders

        Use with caution if you have any seizure disorder or a family history of seizures. Discontinue if seizure is due to Cefixime. Start with appropriate Anticonvulsant medicine if it is clinically indicated.
      • Interaction with Food

        It may be administered with food, however, delay in absorption is observed.

      FAQs about Cefixime

      • Ques : What is Cefixime?

        Ans : Cefixime is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infection. This medicine does not work for viral infections like flu. It works by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is essential for their development.

      • Ques : What are the uses of Cefixime?

        Ans : Cefixime is used for the treatment and prevention from conditions such as Urinary Tract Infection, Tonsillitis, Pharyngitis, and Bronchitis. Apart from these, it can also be used to treat conditions of Fungal and Gonococcal Infections.

      • Ques : What are the Side Effects of Cefixime?

        Ans : Cefixime has some commonly reported side effects. Some of these side-effects may be serious. These are Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Dark or clay-colored stools, Swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands, and feet, Dizziness, Acid or sour stomach, excessive gas in the stomach, Heartburn, Indigestion, Redness of the skin, Chest pain, Sore throat, and Unusual tiredness.

      • Ques : What are the instructions for storage and disposal Cefixime?

        Ans : This medication should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original pack. Make sure Cefixime remains unreachable to children and pets. Proper disposal of the expired and unused medications is important to avoid health problems.

      • Ques : Will Cefixime work for treating cold and flu?

        Ans : This medication belongs to an antibiotic class of drugs, hence Cefixime won't work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. If you use antibiotics when they are not needed, it increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

      • Ques : Is there any special dietary instruction which I should follow?

        Ans : Continue your normal diet unless your doctor asks you to change.

      • Ques : Is Cefixime can be used to treat diarrhoea?

        Ans : No, Cefixime is not prescribed to treat diarrhoea.

      • Ques : Is it safe to give Cefixime to infants?

        Ans : The safety of Cefixime, in case of newborns or infants aging less than 6 months, has not been positively established. Thus you need to consult a doctor before administering this medicine to an infant.

      • Ques : Does Cefixime is a penicillin variant?

        Ans : No, Cefixime is not a penicillin variant. This medication belongs to cephalosporin antibiotic and functions in a similar way to that of penicillin. Concurrent use of these two must be discussed with a doctor.

      • Ques : Does Cefixime cause loose-motion?

        Ans : Diarrhoea is a known side effect of Cefixime although it has been associated with higher doses only.

      • Ques : Is constipation associated with Cefixime?

        Ans : Constipation is an unusual side effect of Cefixime. In case, it causes persistent constipation and seems circumstantially related to the ingestion of this medication, must consult a doctor.

      • Ques : Does Cefixime interact with contraception?

        Ans : No such evidence suggested the effect of Cefixime on contraceptive medications.

      • Ques : Can I take acetaminophen along with Cefixime?

        Ans : No interactions have been clinically proven between Cefixime and Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). It is advisable to consult a doctor before concurrent use of these two medicines.

      • Ques : How long does Cefixime take to work?

        Ans : Cefixime start working as soon after you ingest it. However, it may take a few days to kill the harmful bacteria and relieve the symptoms completely. It is advised to complete the medication course for the suggested days.

      • Ques : What if I do not get better after using Cefixime?

        Ans : Inform your doctor if you do not feel better even after finishing the full course of treatment. You must also inform your doctor if the symptoms get worse while using this medicine.

      References

      • Cefixime- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/rn/79350-37-1

      • CEFIXIME capsule- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [Cited 24 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6f1df975-f825-4301-87da-d7eba56a6890

      • Suprax 200 mg Tablets- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2019 [Cited 3 December 2021]. Available from:

        https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5534

      Disclaimer : The information produced here is best of our knowledge and experience and we have tried our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be treated as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.

      Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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      Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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      Reviewed ByDr. Jagdish Prasad MehrotraD.P.H, MBBSGeneral Physician
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