Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome
Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: cefixime
BRAND NAME: Suprax
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Cefixime is a semi-synthetic (partially
man-made), oral antibiotic in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics. The
cephalosporin family includes cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime
(Vantin), cefprozil (Cefzil),
and many injectable forms. Like other cephalosporins, cefixime stops bacteria from multiplying by
preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are
necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of
the bacterial cell together; bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall.
Cefixime is active against a very wide spectrum of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes (the
cause of strep throat),
Hemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis,
Salmonella, Shigella, and Neisseria
gonorrhoeae. The FDA approved cefixime in April 1989.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 400 mg. Suspension: 100 and 200 mg/5 ml.
STORAGE: Tablets and oral suspension may be stored at room
temperature, 20 to 25 C (68 to 77 F), in a tightly closed container. Suspension
may be refrigerated or stored at room temperature after mixing.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Cefixime is effective for infections of the middle ear
(otitis media), tonsillitis, throat infections (pharyngitis),
laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia caused by susceptible
bacteria. It also is used for treating
urinary tract infections and
gonorrhea as
well as acute bacterial bronchitis in patients with
chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
DOSING: The recommended adult dose is 400 mg once daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Probenecid (Benemid) may increase the blood
concentration of cefixime by decreasing removal of cefixime by the kidney. This
interaction sometimes is used to enhance the effect of cephalosporins.
Combining cefixime with aminoglycosides [for example,
tobramycin (Tobradex) produces additive
bacterial killing effects but also may increase the risk of harmful effects to
the kidney.
Exenatide (Byetta) may
delay or reduce the absorption of cephalosporins. Cephalosporins should be
administered one hour before exenatide.
Cefixime may cause a false positive urine ketone test.
PREGNANCY: Safety
in pregnancy has not been
established for cefixime. There are no adequate studies in pregnant women;
however, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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