Cefixime: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Cefixime?

What is cefixime medicine?

Cefixime is a medicine to treat various kinds of bacterial infections. This drug belongs to the cephalosporins class of antibiotics. The way it works is by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Cefixime antibiotic will not work on viral infections, such as colds and flu. Using antibiotics when you don't need them can actually put you at risk for infections that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. Take this medication only as directed by your doctor.

What are the rules for drinking cefixime?

Cefixime is a medicine that can be taken before or after meals according to a doctor's instructions. This medicine is usually taken once a day.

In children, the drug may be used twice a day (every 12 hours). If you are taking the chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly and swallow them.

Dosage is based on medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dose also depends on body weight. Cefixime is one of the most effective types of antibiotics when the amount of drug in the body is maintained at a consistent level. So, take this medication at the appropriate timeframe.

Drink cefixime until it runs out, even though the symptoms you feel have disappeared after several times taking the drug. Stopping taking medication prematurely has the potential to trigger bacteria to grow, which can result in a recurrence of the infection. In some cases, this can even increase the risk of antibiotic resistance or resistance.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not go away or gets worse after you drink cefixime until it runs out and according to the doctor's instructions.

How do I save Cefixime?

For cefixime in capsules, tablets, and chewable tablets, you need to store it at room temperature. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and damp places. The ideal temperature for storing cefixime is 20-25 degrees Celsius.

The drug in the diluted form can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. Make sure you don't store cefixime in the bathroom and don't freeze the medication.

Medicines under different brands may have different storage methods. Check the packaging for storage instructions or ask a pharmacist. Stay away from children and pets.

It is forbidden to flush the medicine in the toilet or throw it into the drain if not told to. Properly discard this product if it is past the deadline or is no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more in-depth details on how to safely dispose of the product.

Cefixime dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of cefixime for adults?

The following is an explanation of the cefixime dosage for adults:

Dose

• Cefixime dose for adults with urinary tract infections: 400 mg orally once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours
• Cefixime dose for adults with otitis media: dissolved, chewable tablets: 400 mg orally once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours
• Cefixime dose for adults with tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) or pharyngitis (sore throat): 400 mg once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours
• Cefixime dose for adults with acute bronchitis: 400 mg once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours
• Cefixime dose for adults with mild cervical or urethral infections: 400 mg taken once

Recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC): Mild cervical, urethral, ​​or rectal infection: 400 mg by mouth once an additional dose (azithromycin (better) or doxycycline) as well as a test to confirm healing within 1 week.

What is the dose of cefixime for children?

Cefixime dose for children with otitis media by dissolving or chewing:

• 6 months-12 years (weight 45 kg or less): 8 mg per kg once daily or 4 mg / kg every 12 hours
• Children weighing more than 45 kg or more than 12 years: 400 mg once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours

Cefixime dosage for children with urinary tract infections:

• Mild infections: Dissolved, chewable tablets: 6 months-12 years (weight 45 kg or less): 8 mg per kg orally once a day or 4 mg / kg every 12 hours
• Children weighing more than 45 kg or more than 12 years: 400 mg once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours

Cefixime dose for children with tonsillitis and pharyngitis by dissolving or chewing tablets:

• 6 months-12 years (weight 45 kg or less): 8 mg per kg orally once a day or 4 mg per kg every 12 hours
• Children weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years because of 400 mg orally once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours

Cefixime dosage for children with acute bronchitis:Dissolved, chewable tablets:

• 6 months-12 years (weight 45 kg or less): 8 mg per kg orally once a day or 4 mg per kg every 12 hours
• Children weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years: 400 mg by mouth once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours

In what dosage is Cefixime available?

Cefixime is available in the following dosage forms and amounts:

• Powder for solution: 100mg / 5ml, 200mg / 5ml, 500mg / 5ml
• Tablets: 400mg
• Chewable tablets: 100mg, 200mg
• Capsules: 400 mg

Cefixime side effects

What side effects might occur due to Cefixime?

Seek emergency help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction to medication, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects from cefixime such as:

• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• Fever, sore throat, and muscle aches with blistering, peeling skin, and rash
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• The skin feels warm, red, or tingly
• Swollen hands and feet
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath, shortness of breath

The milder side effects of cefixime may include:

• Mild nausea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite
• Anxious, sleepy
• Frequent urination at night
• Headache
• Runny nose, sore throat, or cough
• Itching or discharge from the vagina

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you experience concerns about certain side effects after taking Cefixime, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How do you deal with the side effects that appear?

Indeed, side effects will not always occur in everyone who takes Cefixime. However, when they appear, you can treat the side effects in the following ways:

• If you experience diarrhea due to cefixime, drink enough water. However, if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or is accompanied by blood, consult a doctor immediately.
• Cefixime also has the potential to cause nausea and discomfort in the stomach. Therefore, you should choose foods that are not too heavy to digest. You can also drink cefixime after meals to avoid nausea.
• You can treat headaches by taking painkillers (painkiller). However, make sure you consult with your doctor first about pain relievers that do not trigger interactions with cefixime.

Cefixime Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using this drug?

There are several types of drugs and health conditions that can affect the effects of Cefixime. Therefore, before you decide to take cefixime, there are a few things you need to tell your doctor about:

• Tell me about any allergies you have, especially if you have had an allergic reaction to antibiotics such as penicillin or other cephalosporins.
• Tell your doctor if you have problems or abnormalities with your kidney function.
• If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor so that the use of the drug can be tailored to your condition.
• Provide a list of any medications you are currently taking, if any, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal medicines.

Cefixime is a drug that can react with certain drugs, for example:

• Cefaclor (Raniclor)
• Cefadroxil (Duricef)
• Cefazolin (Ancef)
• Cefdinir (Omnicef)
• Cefditoren (Spectracef)
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
• Cefprozil (Cefzil)
• Ceftibuten (Cedax)
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
• Cephradine (Velosef) and so on

Before taking cefixime, tell your doctor if you are allergic to drugs, especially penicillin-type antibiotics.

Is Cefixime safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using cefixime in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Cefixime is included in category B (no risk in some studies) for pregnant women, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Cefixime Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Cefixime?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur.

In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Your doctor may decide not to give you this drug or change other medicines that you are taking.

Interactions with blood thinners (anticoagulants)

Concomitant use of cefixime with blood thinners or anticoagulants is not recommended.

Antibiotic drugs, including cefixime, have the potential to increase the risk of bleeding in patients undergoing treatment with warfarin, a blood thinner.

This was explained in a study from The American Journal of Medicine , where the elderly group who took warfarin had a higher risk of bleeding. This has the potential to lead to complications in the disease they suffered from before.

Can food or alcohol interact with Cefixime?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor or other medical personnel.

What health conditions can interact with Cefixime?

The presence of other health problems in your body can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Colitis (inflammation of the intestine)
• Severe diarrhea. Use with care. Maybe it could make the condition worse
• Kidney illness. Use with care. The effects may increase due to the slow disposal of the drug from the body

In addition, if you are going to have surgery or other medical procedures, tell the doctor or medical team concerned that you are taking cefixime. This is because cefixime can affect the results of certain diagnostic tests, for example, a urine sugar level test.

Cefixime overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include encephalopathy, which is characterized by a loss of consciousness. You may feel confused, even lose consciousness.

Cefixime overdose can also be characterized by seizure symptoms and abnormal body movements.

Other symptoms of a cefixime overdose are:

• Decreased pupil size (dark circle in the middle of the eye)
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe drowsiness
• Unconscious
• Coma (loss of consciousness over a period of time)
• Heart rate slows down
• Weak muscles
• Cool, clammy skin

If you or other people who take Cefixime experience the symptoms above, contact the medical team immediately.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.