What is Cefpodoxime?

Commonly Used Brand Name(s)Vantin

Therapeutic ClassificationsAntibiotic

Pharmacologic Classifications3rd Generation Cephalosporin

OverviewTOP

Cefpodoxime is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

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Proper UseTOP

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You or your child must take the tablets with food, while the oral liquid may be taken with or without food.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you or your child feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

DosingTOP

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):
- For bronchitis:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For ear infections:
  - Infants and children 2 months to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours.
  - Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For gonorrhea:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg) taken as a single dose.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For pneumonia:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For sinusitis:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Infants and children 2 months to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours.
  - Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For skin infections:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—400 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For sore throat and tonsillitis:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Infants and children 2 months to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight every 12 hours.
  - Infants younger than 2 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For urinary tract infections:
  - Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—100 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed DoseTOP

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Use & StorageTOP

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the tablets in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

Before UsingTOP

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

AllergiesTOP

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

PediatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefpodoxime in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in infants younger than 2 months of age.

GeriatricTOP

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cefpodoxime in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving cefpodoxime.

PregnancyTOP

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast FeedingTOP

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug InteractionsTOP

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Other InteractionsTOP

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

PrecautionsTOP

If your symptoms or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Cefpodoxime may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.