Suprax (Oral)

Cefixime is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It is part of a group of medicines called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

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

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

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical help. Call your doctor right away if you or your child experiences a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of the hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.

Cefixime 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 worsen the diarrhea or prolong it. If you have any questions about this, or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, consult your doctor.

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

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, it's important to balance the risks of taking it with the benefits it can provide. This decision is made between you and your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you may have, including allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies done so far have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of cefixime in children. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in children younger than 6 months old.

Geriatric

While studies on how age affects cefixime's effects in older adults have not been conducted, there are no specific problems documented in this age group so far.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the possible risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When taking this medicine, it is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen for their potential importance and may not cover all possibilities.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or the frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Gestodene
• Levonorgestrel
• Mestranol
• Methotrexate
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at the same time as food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Allergy to penicillins, or history of or
• Bleeding problems—Use with caution. This may worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be stronger because the medicine is removed from the body more slowly.

• Phenylketonuria—The chewable tablet contains phenylalanine, which can worsen this condition.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you may need medical help.

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

More common

• Diarrhea
• loose or frequent stools

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• coma
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of discomfort
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• hostility
• inflammation of the joints
• irritability
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lethargy
• light-colored stools
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches
• muscle twitching
• nausea and vomiting
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seizures
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stupor
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• swollen glands
• swollen lymph glands
• tightness in the chest
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• cough or hoarseness
• coughing up blood
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• general body swelling
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased thirst
• nosebleeds
• paralysis
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• red or black, tarry stools
• red or dark brown urine
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual weight loss

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 healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your healthcare professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• bloated
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• full feeling
• heartburn
• hives or welts
• indigestion
• itching of the vagina or genital area or pain in the genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• passing gas
• redness of the skin
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
• white patches with diaper rash

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.

In the U.S.

• Suprax

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule
• Powder for Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 3rd Generation Cephalosporin

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.

Swallow the capsule whole. Do not cut, break, or chew it.

You may split or cut the tablet in half. The chewable tablet should be crushed or chewed before swallowing.

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 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 (capsules, suspension, chewable tablets, or tablets):For infections: Adults and children older than 12 years of age and weighing more than 50 kilograms (kg)—400 milligrams (mg) once a day or 200 mg every 12 hours. Children 6 months to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 8 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken as a single dose or divided in two doses (4 mg/kg of body weight every 12 hours). Children up to 6 months 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 medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the oral liquid either at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days. Keep it tightly closed.

• Is there a gonorrhea treatment available over the counter?