Cefixime for infection

About cefixime

Cefixime is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it is active against a wide variety of bacteria. It is used to treat short-term (acute) bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, chest et throat infections, et infections de l'oreille. Cefixime treats an infection by killing the bacteria that are causing it.

Some people who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics may not be able to take cefixime, so make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other antibiotic.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking cefixime it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have had a bad reaction to a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. (Although cefixime is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et complémentaires.

• Before you start taking cefixime, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the antibiotic and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• You should take cefixime exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose for adults and for children over 10 years of age, is 1 or 2 tablets daily. You will be told whether to take this as a single dose each day, or as two doses, morning and evening. The dose for younger children is calculated from their age or weight. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you (or your child), and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• You can take cefixime before or after food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. If you are taking more than one dose a day, space your doses out evenly throughout the day.

• Keep taking the antibiotic until the course is finished unless you are told to stop by your doctor. Taking the full course is important (even if you feel your infection has cleared up) in order to prevent the infection from coming back.

• If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day.

• Certaines personnes développent une mycose (rougeur et démangeaisons dans la bouche ou le vagin) après avoir pris une cure d'antibiotiques. Si vous pensez avoir une mycose, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien pour obtenir des conseils.

• Si vous utilisez une contraception hormonale combinée orale (la 'pilule'), des précautions contraceptives supplémentaires telles que des préservatifs sont recommandées pendant un certain temps si vous avez des nausées (vomissements) ou de la diarrhée qui durent plus de 24 heures. Si vous avez besoin de plus de conseils à ce sujet, parlez-en à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

• If you are having an operation or any other medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking an antibiotic. This is because cefixime may interfere with the results of some tests to check for sugar in urine.

• Cefixime may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this antibiotic.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cefixime. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you develop an itchy rash, swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these can be signs that you are allergic to the antibiotic. Do not take any more cefixime and speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.