About cefixime

Cefixime is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it is active against a wide variety of bacteria. It is used to treat short-term (acute) bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, peito e infecções de garganta, e infecções de ouvido. Cefixime treats an infection by killing the bacteria that are causing it.

Some people who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics may not be able to take cefixime, so make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other antibiotic.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking cefixime it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a um medicamento. É particularmente importante que você informe seu médico se já teve uma reação ruim a um antibiótico penicilina ou cefalosporina.

• Se você tiver algum problema com o funcionamento dos seus rins.

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. (Although cefixime is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Se você estiver tomando ou usando qualquer outro medicamento. Isso inclui quaisquer medicamentos que você esteja tomando e que estejam disponíveis para compra sem receita médica, bem como medicamentos fitoterápicos e complementares.

• Before you start taking cefixime, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the antibiotic and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• You should take cefixime exactly as your doctor tells you to. The usual dose for adults and for children over 10 years of age, is 1 or 2 tablets daily. You will be told whether to take this as a single dose each day, or as two doses, morning and evening. The dose for younger children is calculated from their age or weight. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you (or your child), and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• You can take cefixime before or after food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. If you are taking more than one dose a day, space your doses out evenly throughout the day.

• Keep taking the antibiotic until the course is finished unless you are told to stop by your doctor. Taking the full course is important (even if you feel your infection has cleared up) in order to prevent the infection from coming back.

• If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day.

• Algumas pessoas desenvolvem candidíase (vermelhidão e coceira na boca ou vagina) após tomar um curso de antibióticos. Se você acha que tem candidíase, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico para obter aconselhamento.

• Se você estiver usando contracepção hormonal oral combinada (a 'pílula'), recomenda-se o uso de precauções contraceptivas adicionais, como preservativos, por um período se você tiver vômitos ou diarreia que durem mais de 24 horas. Se precisar de mais orientações sobre isso, consulte seu médico ou farmacêutico.

• If you are having an operation or any other medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking an antibiotic. This is because cefixime may interfere with the results of some tests to check for sugar in urine.

• Cefixime may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this antibiotic.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cefixime. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Importante: if you develop an itchy rash, swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these can be signs that you are allergic to the antibiotic. Do not take any more cefixime and speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway.

Se você sentir quaisquer outros sintomas que acha que podem ser devido a este medicamento, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico para mais orientações.

• Mantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.

• Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.