Pronunciation:

sef-poe-DOX-eem PROX-e-til

Brand Names:

• Vantin

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Suspension
• Tablet

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Antibiotic

Pharmacologic—

3rd Generation Cephalosporin

Uses of This Medicine:

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.

Before Using This Medicine:

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:

Allergies—

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.

Children—

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.

Older adults—

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.

Breast-feeding—

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.

Other medicines—

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.

• Cimetidine
• Famotidine
• Nizatidine
• Probenecid
• Ranitidine

Other interactions—

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.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of or
• Diarrhea, severe, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

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.

Dosing—

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 dose—

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.

Storage—

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.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

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.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Diarrhea

loose stools

Less common

Change in the color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge

Rare

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness

black, tarry stools

bladder pain

bleeding gums

bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

bloody nose

bloody or cloudy urine

blurred vision

burning while urinating

chest pain

collection of blood under the skin

confusion

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

cough or hoarseness

cough producing mucus

dark urine

decreased urination

decreased urine output

deep, dark purple bruise

diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody

difficult or labored breathing

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty with breathing or troubled breathing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

extreme fatigue

fainting

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling of warmth or heat

fever or chills

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

frequent urge to urinate

general body swelling

headache

hearing loss

heavier menstrual periods

increase in heart rate

increased thirst

increased urge to urinate during the night

increased weight

irregular breathing

irregular heartbeat

itching of the vagina or genital area

itching, pain, redness, or swelling

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

noisy breathing

nosebleeds

pain

pain during sexual intercourse

pain or swelling of the treated skin

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

pounding in the ears

problems with vision or hearing

rapid breathing

rapid weight gain

runny nose

shortness of breath or troubled breathing

skin rash

slow or fast heartbeat

sneezing

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stuffy or runny nose

sunken eyes

sweating

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

swelling or puffiness of the face

swollen glands

thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

thirst

tightness of the chest or wheezing

tingling of the hands or feet

troubled breathing

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight gain or loss

waking to urinate at night

weight gain

wheezing

wrinkled skin

yellowing of the eyes or skin

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloody, black, or tarry stools

clay-colored stools

feeling of discomfort

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

high fever

inflammation of the joints

irritation or inflammation of the eyelid

itching

joint or muscle pain

muscle aches

rectal bleeding

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

seizures

sudden decrease in the amount of urine

swollen lymph glands

swollen or painful glands

unpleasant breath odor

vomiting of blood

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

Accumulation of pus

acid or sour stomach

ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain

bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

belching

blemishes on the skin

bloated or full feeling

burning feeling in the chest or stomach

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in taste

constipation

cracks in the skin

decreased appetite

difficulty with moving

dry skin

excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines

fear or nervousness

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

frequent urge to defecate

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hair loss

headache, severe and throbbing

heartburn

hives or welts

increase in body movements

increased sweating

increased thirst

indigestion

irritation or soreness of the mouth

joint stiffness or swelling

lack or loss of strength

loss of heat from the body

lower back or side pain

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

passing of gas

peeling of the skin

pimples

poor concentration

pressure in the stomach

red, sore eyes

red, swollen skin

redness of the skin

scaly skin

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

sensation of spinning

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sleeplessness

sore mouth or tongue

soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

stomach upset

straining while passing stool

swelling of the abdominal or stomach area

swelling or inflammation of the mouth

swollen, red, or tender area of infection

trouble with sleeping

unable to sleep

white patches in the mouth, tongue, or throat

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.