Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime
Cefpodoxime

Uses

Cefpodoxime is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis (infection of the airway tubes leading to the lungs); pneumonia; gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease); and infections of the skin, ear, sinuses, throat, tonsils, and urinary tract. Cefpodoxime is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Antibiotics such as cefpodoxime will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Side Effects Of Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
  • white vaginal discharge
  • headache

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • wheezing
  • a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

Warnings & Precautions

Before taking cefpodoxime:

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefpodoxime; any other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor, cefadroxil,cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef) and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefpodoxime tablets or suspension. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, others), cimetidine, colistimethate (Coly-Mycin M), diuretics (‘water pills’), famotidine (Pepcid), gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin (Neo-Fradin), nizatidine (Axid), polymixin B, probenecid (Probalan), ranitidine (Zantac), streptomycin, tobramycin. and vancomycin (Vancocin). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (a condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefpodoxime, call your doctor.
  • if you have phenylketonuria (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that cefpodoxime suspension is sweetened with aspartame that forms phenylalanine.

Cefpodoxime Dosage

Cefpodoxime comes as a tablet and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days depending on the condition being treated. A single dose is given to treat gonorrhea. Take the tablet with food; the suspension can be taken with or without food. Take cefpodoxime at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefpodoxime exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefpodoxime. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take cefpodoxime until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefpodoxime too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Other

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to cefpodoxime.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking cefpodoxime.

If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this drug.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. .

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Source

All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.