Cefixime

The US label lists cefixime for adults and children aged 6 months and older with certain infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

These are uncomplicated urinary tract infections, ear infections (otitis media), sore throat and tonsillitis, and flare-ups of chronic bronchitis.

It is also listed for uncomplicated cervical or urethral gonorrhoea.

The label says it should be used only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
• Ear infection (otitis media)
• Sore throat and tonsillitis
• Chronic bronchitis flare-ups
• Uncomplicated gonorrhoea

The label describes cefixime as a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibacterial drug.

The label sections we reviewed do not explain its action in more detail.

This page uses the US label for cefixime capsules and oral suspension taken by mouth. The dosing below is the adult label dosing.

For adults, the US label gives 400 mg daily, which can be given as one 400 mg capsule daily.

For uncomplicated cervical or urethral gonorrhoea, it gives a single 400 mg dose.

The capsule can be taken without regard to food.

For infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, the label says treatment should last at least 10 days.

Kidney impairment changes the dose when creatinine clearance is below 60 mL/min, and the label has a separate table for it.

For children aged 6 months and older, dosing is weight-based, using the oral suspension. The label says ear infections should be treated with the suspension and not the tablet or capsule.

Indian pack labels may differ. Your prescriber's instruction always wins over a general label.

• 400 mg daily for adults on the label
• Single 400 mg dose for gonorrhoea
• At least 10 days for Streptococcus pyogenes infections

Cefixime is not for people with a known allergy to cefixime or other cephalosporins.

The label says cross-reactions between penicillin and cephalosporin allergy have been documented and may occur in up to 10% of people with penicillin allergy.

Tell your doctor about any past reaction to penicillins, cephalosporins or other medicines.

C. difficile-associated diarrhoea has been reported with nearly all antibiotics. It can range from mild diarrhoea to fatal colitis and can occur over two months after treatment.

Kidney impairment and dialysis need a dose adjustment.

Cephalosporins may lower prothrombin activity. The label names people with kidney or liver impairment, poor nutrition, long antibiotic courses and those on anticoagulants as at risk.

In pregnancy, published data over decades have not established drug-associated risks. The label did not find harm to the fetus in animal studies.

The label says elderly people need no dose adjustment on age alone.

• Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins
• Kidney impairment or dialysis
• Anticoagulant use or poor nutrition
• Children under 6 months (not established)
• History of colitis

• Carbamazepine
• Warfarin and other anticoagulants
• Urine ketone and glucose tests (false positives)
• Direct Coombs test
• The label lists two medicine interactions.
• Carbamazepine levels have risen when it is used with cefixime, so levels may need monitoring.
• Warfarin and other anticoagulants may show a rise in prothrombin time, with or without bleeding.
• The label also warns that cefixime can cause false-positive urine tests for ketones and for sugar with Benedict's or Fehling's solutions, and a false-positive Coombs test.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label says gastric lavage may be indicated and that there is no specific antidote.

Dialysis does not remove significant amounts. Healthy adults given single doses up to 2 g had a similar side effect profile.

Get medical help after any overdose.

The label for these capsules says to store them at 20 to 25 degrees C.

Keep medicines out of reach of children. Reconstituted suspension has its own storage instructions on the pack.

Cefixime is listed in the Drugs Rules 1945 Schedules we checked (Schedule H1, serial 9 (rules 65 and 97)).

A Schedule H1 medicine is a prescription-only medicine with extra controls. Ask your pharmacist about the sale rules.

Cefixime is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 in these forms: Oral liquid 50 mg/5 mL (p) (page 70); Oral liquid 100 mg/5 mL (p) (page 70).

NPPA ceiling prices exist for scheduled formulations of cefixime. They are in the table below.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 10 product row(s) that mention cefixime.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 6 entries that mention cefixime. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

The NPPA ceiling is the highest price per unit for a scheduled formulation, as in the list date shown for each row.

The prices below are per unit. Check the pack and seller, because prices can be revised after those dates.

Jan Aushadhi lists the products below that mention cefixime. We did not capture a price for them, so check the store or the official list.

• Capsule 200 mg, per 1 Capsule: ceiling INR 14.39 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Capsule 400 mg, per 1 Capsule: ceiling INR 29.15 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Oral Liquid 100 mg/5ml, per 1 ml: ceiling INR 2.15 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Oral Liquid 50 mg/5ml, per 1 ml: ceiling INR 1.45 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Tablet 400 mg, per 1 Tablet: ceiling INR 22.00 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Tablet 200mg, per 1 Tablet: ceiling INR 9.57 (All scheduled (NLEM 2015), As on 30.09.2020)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime Oral Suspension IP 50mg per 5ml, pack 30 ml (row p3:sno48)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime Tablets IP 100 mg, pack 10's (row p3:sno49)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime Tablets IP 200 mg, pack 10's (row p3:sno50)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime 200mg and Ofloxacin 200mg Tablets, pack 10's (row p13:sno289)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime 200mg and Potassium Clavulanate 125mg Tablets, pack 10's (row p13:sno293)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime Oral Suspension IP 100 mg per 5ml, pack 30 ml (row p39:sno886)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime Oral Suspension IP 25 mg per ml, pack 10 ml (row p39:sno887)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime 50Mg And Clavulanic Acid 31.25 Mg Dry syrup, pack 30ml with Water for Reconstitution (row p55:sno1233)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime 100Mg And Clavulanic Acid 62.5 Mg Tablets, pack 10's (row p55:sno1234)
• Jan Aushadhi: Cefixime 200 mg, Cloxacillin 500 mg (ER) and Lactic Acid Bacillus Tablets, pack 10's (row p79:sno1727)