Cefixime

Cefixime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Urinary tract infections
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Throat and tonsil infections
• Sinusitis and certain chest infections
• Typhoid fever, when chosen by the doctor
• Some sexually transmitted infections (e.g. uncomplicated gonorrhoea)

The dose of Cefixime depends on the infection. A usual adult dose is 200-400 mg daily, taken as a single dose or split into two, for about 7 days; typhoid fever often needs a longer course of one to two weeks as decided by the doctor. Cefixime can be taken with or without food, though food may ease any stomach upset.

Children's doses are based on body weight and must be set by a doctor. Take Cefixime at evenly spaced times, finish the whole course, and do not stop early even if the fever settles quickly.

Cefixime is usually well tolerated. Common side effects include:

• Diarrhoea, nausea, or abdominal pain
• Indigestion or flatulence
• Headache or dizziness
• Mild skin rash

Less commonly it can cause thrush, and rarely it may trigger serious allergic reactions or severe, persistent diarrhoea due to a bowel infection. Seek urgent medical care if you develop facial swelling, breathing difficulty, a spreading rash, or bloody diarrhoea while taking Cefixime.

Cefixime is a prescription-only antibiotic — never self-medicate. Take it only when a registered doctor prescribes it, and never buy it over the counter or share it with others. Always complete the full prescribed course even after you feel well; in illnesses like typhoid the fever can settle long before the bacteria are fully cleared, and stopping early invites relapse and resistance.

Tell your doctor about any allergy to penicillin or cephalosporins and about kidney disease. Antibiotic resistance is a serious national crisis in Bangladesh, and using cephalosporins like Cefixime unnecessarily makes future infections harder to treat for everyone.

Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take. Notable interactions with Cefixime include:

• Warfarin and other blood thinners — bleeding tendency may increase
• Probenecid — raises cefixime levels in the blood
• Carbamazepine — its levels may rise
• Some other antibiotics taken together may reduce effect
• Live oral typhoid vaccine may be less effective

Do not take Cefixime if you:

• Are allergic to cefixime or other cephalosporin antibiotics
• Have had a severe allergic reaction (such as swelling or breathing difficulty) to penicillin

Use with caution and inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, a history of bowel disease (colitis), or a tendency to allergies. Your doctor will decide whether Cefixime is suitable.

Cefixime may be used in pregnancy when the doctor considers it necessary, as cephalosporins are generally regarded as among the safer antibiotic options. Always tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.

Only small amounts pass into breast milk and it is usually considered compatible with breastfeeding, but watch the baby for loose stools or thrush. Discuss breastfeeding with your doctor before taking Cefixime.

Store Cefixime in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture, in its original pack. Reconstituted suspension for children should be used within the period stated on the label. Keep all forms out of the reach of children and do not use the medicine beyond its expiry date.