cefixime

What is the most important information I should know about cefixime?

What is cefixime?

Cefixime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Cefixime is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cefixime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cefixime?

• cefaclor (Raniclor);
• cefadroxil (Duricef);
• cefazolin (Ancef);
• cefdinir (Omnicef);
• cefditoren (Spectracef);
• cefpodoxime (Vantin);
• cefprozil (Cefzil);
• ceftibuten (Cedax);
• cefuroxime (Ceftin);
• cephalexin (Keflex);
• cephradine (Velosef); and others.

To make sure cefixime is safe for you, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins.

The chewable tablet form may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefixime if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

The cefixime suspension (liquid) contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of cefixime if you have diabetes.

How should I take cefixime?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take cefixime with or without food.

The cefixime chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefixime.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking cefixime?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of cefixime?

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion or weakness;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• low blood cell counts --sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed;
• kidney problems --little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
• severe skin reaction --fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• indigestion, stomach pain;
• nausea, vomiting; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cefixime?

Other drugs may interact with cefixime, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cefixime.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 3/29/2017.