Cefpodoxime: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

It 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.

Applications

This medicine only treats bacterial infections . It will not work for viral infections (common cold and flu).

Cefpodoxime is a third generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic. It is active against most Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Notable exceptions include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides fragilis.

Currently, it is only marketed as generic preparations in the US According to the FDA Orange Book, it is commonly used to treat acute otitis media, pharyngitis , sinusitis, and gonorrhea .

It also finds use as oral continuation therapy when intravenous cephalosporins (such as ceftriaxone ) are no longer needed to continue treatment.

Cefpodoxime proxetil is marketed by the Zoetis Company under the trade name Simplicef for veterinary use. The dose range in dogs is 5-10 mg / kg of body weight, administered orally, once daily.

Cefpodoxime inhibits cell wall synthesis by inhibiting the final transpeptidation stage of peptidoglycan synthesis in cell walls. It has a well-established pharmacokinetic profile with an absorption of 50%.

It is indicated for  community-acquired pneumonia , skin  infections, and uncomplicated urinary infections.

Dose of cefpodoxima

Adult and pediatric dosage

Oral suspension
  • 50 mg / 5 ml.
  • 100 mg / 5 ml.
Tablet
  • 100 mg.
  • 200 mg.

Babies under 2 months: safety and efficacy not established.

Children 12 years of age: 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.

Susceptible organisms

Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella spp, Moraxella catarrhalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Proteus mirabilis, estafilococos, estreptococos betahemolíticos del grupo A, Streptococcus pyogenes.

Side effects of cefpodoxima

Common side effects of cefpodoxime include:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Anxiety.
  • Back pain.
  • Swelling.
  • Body pain.
  • Chest tightness.
  • A cold.
  • Confusion or weakness
  • Constipation .
  • Tos.
  • Dark colored urine.
  • Dermatitis.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Dizziness.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat.
  • Feeling restless or hyperactive.
  • Difficulty breathing (even with slight exertion).
  • Fever.
  • Fungal skin rash.
  • Headache.
  • Increased thirst.
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mild itching
  • Muscle pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Nervousness.
  • Pale or yellowish skin

Precautions

Before taking cefpodoxime, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to the medicine, or to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics (eg, cephalexin ); or if you have any other allergies.

This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.