Cefpodoxime

Generic name: Cefpodoxime
Brand names: Vantin
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Usage of Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. This includes infections of the sinus, throat, ear, skin, bladder, or lungs.

Cefpodoxime is also used to treat gonorrhea.

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

Cefpodoxime side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Cefpodoxime may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen glands, joint pain, or not feeling well;

a seizure; or

liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of cefpodoxime may include:

diarrhea;

nausea, stomach pain;

headache;

vaginal itching or discharge; or

diaper rash in an infant using cefpodoxime.

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.

Before taking Cefpodoxime

You should not take cefpodoxime if you are allergic to cefpodoxime or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefdinir, cefalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

urination problems;

a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or

an allergy to any type of penicillin.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using cefpodoxime.

Cefpodoxime is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 months old.

Relate drugs

How to use Cefpodoxime

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take a cefpodoxime tablet with food.

You may take cefpodoxime oral suspension (liquid) with or without food.

Shake the liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection resistant to medication. Cefpodoxime will not treat a viral infection (flu or common cold).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefpodoxime.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid in a tightly-closed bottle in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

Warnings

You should not use cefpodoxime if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of cephalosporin antibiotic (Omnicef, Keflex, and others).

What other drugs will affect Cefpodoxime

Cefpodoxime can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

probenecid;

an antacid; or

a stomach acid reducer (Pepcid, Tagamet, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect cefpodoxime, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com'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. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com 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.