Cefpodoxime
The drug Cefpodoxime is an antibiotic medication of the third generation class of Cephalosporin drugs. Cefpodoxime is a semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum of action. It has a bactericidal effect, which is due to the suppression of the synthesis of peptidoglycans at the ribosomal level in the cell walls of bacteria.
It is mainly prescribed for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract infections (tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, including exacerbation of chronic bronchitis), especially in people abusing alcohol, smoking, and over 65 years old, acute gonorrhea (urethral, cervical ), rectal infections in women, infections of the skin and soft tissues, urinary tract infections.
Warning
If you are pregnant, then you should use this medication only after the consultation with your physician. Cefpodoxime can be prescribed in some cases, when the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. If it’s necessary, then in some cases it can be taken during lactation.
Taking Cefpodoxime is contraindicated to children under the age of 12 years old. Before starting the course of the treatment with the drug Cefpodoxime, the patient's allergic history should be collected by the doctor due to the possibility of hypersensitivity reactions between cephalosporin and penicillin drugs or other β-lactam antibiotics.
It is necessary to have particularly careful monitoring of patients with a tendency to allergic reactions (allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma), since the risk of developing hypersensitivity reactions increases against the background of the presence of such conditions.
During the period of taking Cefpodoxime medication, there may be noted some false-positive results of glucose determination in urine (glycosuria is recommended to be determined only by the enzymatic method).
Cefoperazone is not the main antibiotic medication in the treatment of staphylococcal pneumonia, nor should it be used for the treatment of atypical pneumonia, which is caused by bacteria such as Mycoplasma, Legionella and Chlamydia.
If you use the drug Cefpodoxime for a long period of time, then it’s necessary to monitor patterns of peripheral blood. Continuous use of this medication can lead to overgrowth of resistant microorganisms.
It should be mentioned that false positive direct Coombs test may be possible against the background of using Cefpodoxime.
During the period of treatment with the antibiotic Cefpodoxime, patients should observe caution when driving vehicles and mechanisms, as well as other classes of potentially hazardous activities that require high concentration and psychomotor speed reactions.
Cefpodoxime may not be recommended for use with some other medications as their interactions may influence the medicine's efficiency. Check with your health care professional whether you can take other medicines while taking the drug Cefpodoxime.
Method of Application and Dosage
Take the medication strictly following all the doctor’s recommendations and the instructions. The drug Cefpodoxime is taken orally with a little amount of water. It is available in a tablet form and in a suspension form. Children are usually prescribed a suspension because it is easier to swallow than a tablet. It is recommended to take the medication before having a meal.
The attending physician usually sets the dosage regimen individually, taking into account the severity of the course and localization of the infection, as well as the sensitivity of the pathogen. Usually, the average daily dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 200-400 mg. Do not change the prescribed dosage yourself. If you for some reason have missed the drug intake, then take it according to your treatment plan, and never take a double dosage, as it can cause the occurrence of negative symptoms.
Adverse Reactions
Side effects connected with Cefpodoxime intake may include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, taste disturbance, loss of appetite, candidiasis, pseudomembranous colitis, rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, liver failure, headache, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, chest pain, hypotension and others. In order to avoid possible side-effects and allergic reactions never start using the medicine yourself or because someone told you to. Only doctor can decide whether this medicine is going to be effective in your case or not. Strictly follow the recommended dosage and the time of usage. It is essential to take Cefpodoxime, just as any antibacterial drug, at one and the same time every day.
Storage
Store the medication in a dry, dark, safe place, far from children and pets. Never let other people take your medicines.
Consult your doctor before using any medication. The list of contraindications and side effects in the article is not complete, so if you have any questions concerning the drug, then you should ask the doctor.