Cedax : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Cedax (Ceftibuten) is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis (infection of the airways leading to the lungs); and ear, throat, and tonsil infections. Cedax (Ceftibuten) is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics like Cedax do not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

How should this medicine be used?

Cedax (Ceftibuten) comes as a capsule and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 10 days. Take the suspension on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after eating; the capsules can be taken with or without food. Take Cedax at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you don’t understand. Take Cedax exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medicine evenly.

You should start to feel better during the first few days of treatment with Cedax. If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Keep taking Cedax even if you feel better. If you stop taking Cedax too soon or miss doses, your infection may not be fully treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Other uses for this medicine

Cedax is also sometimes used to treat urinary tract infections. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking ceftibuten,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Cedax; another cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetafin, cefotetafila (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medication. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Cedax capsules or suspension.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a gastrointestinal (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines) disease, especially colitis (a condition that causes swelling of the lining of the colon [large intestine]) or kidney disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Cedax, call your doctor.
  • If you have diabetes, you should know that Cedax suspension solution contains sucrose (sugar).

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Ceftibuten may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • heartburn
  • headache
  • dizziness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately, or get emergency medical treatment:

  • watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • wheezing
  • a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store the capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep the liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not resistant to children and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • seizures

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order some lab tests to check your response to Cedax.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking Cedax.

If you are diabetic and your urine is tested for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this drug.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Your prescription may not be refilled.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Cedax®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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