cefixime, Suprax

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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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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.

NURSING MOTHERS: Safety in nursing mothers has not been established. It is not known if cefixime is excreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: Cefixime is generally well tolerated, and side effects usually are transient. Reported side effects include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rash, fever, joint pain and arthritis, abnormal liver tests, vaginitis, itching, headaches, and dizziness.

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. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.