Cefpodoxime is an antibiotic used to treat mild to moderate infections, including ear infections, throat infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. It works by stopping bacteria from building their protective walls, which helps to kill them. You take it as a tablet, usually with food, starting with a dose of 100 to 400 mg taken every 12 hours, depending on the type of infection, with a maximum dose of 800 mg per day for skin infections. It's important to know that if you have a known allergy to cefpodoxime or other similar antibiotics, you should not take this medication. Additionally, if you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may need to adjust your dose or how often you take it.
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Uses
- Acute otitis media.
- Pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis.
- Community-acquired pneumonia.
- Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea.
- Uncomplicated skin infections.
- Acute maxillary sinusitis.
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
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Dosage
Adults and adolescents: 200 mg for pharyngitis, 400 mg for pneumonia.
Take with food to enhance absorption.
Frequency: every 12 hours for most infections.
Single dose of 200 mg for uncomplicated gonorrhea.
Duration varies from 5 to 14 days depending on infection.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
diarrheanauseaabdominal painheadache
Serious
allergic reactionspseudomembranous colitisliver injury
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Check for allergies to cefpodoxime or penicillins before use.
- Risk of serious allergic reactions requiring emergency treatment.
- C. difficile infection may occur after antibiotic use.
- Monitor renal function if taking with nephrotoxic drugs.
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Drug interactions
- Antacidsreduce absorption and peak levelsCaution
- Probenecidincreases cefpodoxime levelsMonitor
- Oral anti-cholinergicsdelay peak levelsCaution
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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