Vantin (Oral)

Cefpodoxime 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 symptoms or your child's symptoms do not get better in a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

Cefpodoxime may cause diarrhea, which can sometimes be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child for diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may worsen the diarrhea or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this, or if mild diarrhea continues or worsens, consult your doctor.

Before you or your child undergo 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.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide.

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the use of cefpodoxime. However, safety and effectiveness have not been established in infants younger than 2 months old.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in the elderly that would limit the use of cefpodoxime. However, older patients are more likely to have kidney problems related to age, which may require caution and a dose adjustment for those taking cefpodoxime.

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 and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In those cases, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions may be needed. It's especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant but not all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Cimetidine
• Famotidine
• Nizatidine
• Probenecid
• Ranitidine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around meal times or with certain foods to avoid interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, particularly:

• Colitis (inflammation in gut), history of
• Severe diarrhea, history of—Use with caution. This may worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

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

Check with your doctor right away 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
• ongoing 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
• trouble breathing or difficulty with 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
• severe and throbbing headache
• 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.

In the U.S.

• Vantin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Suspension
• Tablet

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.

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.