Cefixime: Indications, Side Effects, Contraindications, Interactions, Warnings and Frequently Asked Questions

It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a variety of conditions.

Conditions include urinary tract infections, ear infections, and lung infections caused by bacteria.

It has the advantage of requiring only one daily dose. This medication is not recommended for use with the common cold, flu, or viral infections, as it is active against infections caused by certain bacterial species only.

What is Cefixime prescribed for?

It is mainly prescribed for:

  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Ear infection (otitis media).
  • Tonsillitis / pharyngitis.
  • Bronchitis.
  • Gonococcal infection.

Side effects

Some of the side effects of Cefixime are:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Dark or clay-colored stools.
  • Swelling of the face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands, and feet.
  • Dizziness.
  • Heartburn or sour stomach.
  • Excess air or gas in the stomach.
  • Acidity.
  • Indigestion.
  • Redness of the skin.

Contraindications of Cefixime

This medicine is not recommended if you have a known allergy to Cefixime or other Beta-lactam antibiotics.

Interactions

All drugs interact differently from person to person. You should check all possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medication.

 

Interaction with alcohol

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

Interaction with medicines

It may interact with the following drugs:

  • Amikacin.
  • Chloramphenicol.
  • Nifedipine.
  • Warfarin
  • Ethinyl estradiol.
  • Cholera vaccine.
  • Furosemide.

Interactions with diseases

Colitis

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly colitis, due to the increased risk of worsening the patient’s condition.

Report any incidence of severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in your stool to your doctor immediately. Depending on the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required.

Kidney disease

Cefixime should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Kidney function needs to be closely monitored while receiving this medicine.

Depending on the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases.

Laboratory interactions
Coombs test

Tell your doctor about the use of this medicine if you have this test. A false-positive result can be obtained if this test is performed while taking this medicine.

Do not stop using any medicine without consulting your doctor.

Urine ketones test

Tell your doctor about the use of this medicine if you are having this test. A false-positive result can be obtained if this test is performed while taking this medicine. Do not stop using any medicine without consulting your doctor.

This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all possible drug interactions you are taking.

General instructions

  • Take Cefixime with or without food.
  • Do not eat more significant amounts than recommended/prescribed.
  • Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse effects.
  • Make sure the course of treatment has been completed.
  • Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Warnings

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended if you have a known allergy to the antibiotics Cefixime or Beta-lactams.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any allergic symptoms such as rash, itching, nausea or vomiting, or swelling of the lips, hands, and feet.

Diarrea asociada a Clostridium difficile

Stop using this medicine as directed by your doctor if severe diarrhea occurs after receiving Cefixime.

This medication can cause an imbalance in the microbial flora of the large intestine, decreasing gut-friendly bacteria and promoting the growth of a bacterium called Clostridium difficile, which causes severe diarrhea.

Bleeding disorders

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with bleeding disorders due to the increased risk of excessive bleeding. Regular monitoring of prothrombin time is necessary in such cases.

Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments will be made based on CrCl or eGFR.

Use in pediatrics

This medicine is not recommended for use in children under six months of age, as the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established in this particular age group.

Drug resistance

The use of Cefixime without sufficient evidence or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided.

Irrational dosing can fail to provide the benefits and even cause toxicity. It can also increase the risk of developing bacteria that are resistant to drugs.

Other details

  • It can be taken with or without food, as directed by your doctor.
  • To be taken as directed by the doctor
  • Does not cause drowsiness.

How Cefixime works

This drug works by interfering with specific processes that help bacteria grow and increase in number.

Frequently asked questions about Cefixime.

When is the start of your action?

The maximum effect of this medicine can be seen within 3 to 4 hours after the dose is administered.

How long does its effect last?

The effect of this medicine has an average duration of 3 to 4 hours after the onset of action.

Is it safe with alcohol?

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

Can it become a habit to take it?

No habit-forming trend has been reported.

Use in pregnancy?

This medication is not recommended for pregnant women unless necessary, and the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Use during lactation?

This medication is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. If the drug is used, close monitoring of the baby is necessary for any unwanted effects.

In case of missed dose?

The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a forgotten dose.

In case of overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or contact a doctor in case of overdose.