Cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin, Bantan): Antibiotic Side Effects & Dosage

What is cefpodoxime proxetil, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

Cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin, Banan) is an oral antibiotic prescription drug in the cephalosporin family of antibiotics.

The cephalosporin family includes:

• Cephalexin (Keflex)

• Cefaclor (Ceclor)

• Cefuroxime (Zinacef)

• Cefprozil
  (Cefzil)

• Many injectable forms

Cefpodoxime proxetil is converted to cefpodoxime, its active form, in the body. Like other cephalosporins,
cefpodoxime stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming
the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from
their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together; most
bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Cefpodoxime is active against a
wide spectrum of bacteria such as

Staphylococcus aureus,

Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of
strep throat), Streptococcus agalactiae, Hemophilus
influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis,

E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Providencia rettgeri, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Is cefpodoxime proxetil available as a generic drug?

Yes, this medication is available in generic form.

Do I need a prescription for this drug?

Yes, your doctor or health care professional will need to write you a prescription for this medicine.

What are the uses for cefpodoxime proxetil?

Cefpodoxime is effective for the medical treatment of these infections.

• Middle ear (otitis media)

• Tonsillitis

• Throat (pharyngitis)

• Laryngitis

• Sinusitis

• Pneumonia

• Urinary tract infections

• Skin structure or skin infections caused by susceptible bacteria

It also is used for the treatment of gonorrhea
as well as acute and chronic bronchitis (bacterial) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD).

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
See Answer

Cefpodoxime proxetil side effects

Side effects include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Skin rash
• Diaper rash

• Fever

• Muscle pain

• Allergic reactions

• Vaginitis

• Vaginal infections

• Itching

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Insomnia

Cefpodoxime should be avoided by patients who are allergic to cephalosporin
type antibiotics. Since this drug is chemically related to penicillin, some
patients allergic to penicillin also may have an allergic reaction (sometimes
even life-threatening anaphylaxis) to cefpodoxime.

Possible serious side effects.

Like other antibiotics, cefpodoxime may cause a condition called
pseudomembranous colitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection of the colon
caused by a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile colitis).
Patients who develop this type of colitis as a result of antibiotic treatment
can have signs and symptoms of:

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Fever

• Shock

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How do I take cefpodoxime proxetil (dosage)?

• The adult dose for treating pneumonia, bronchitis,
  or sinusitis is 200 mg every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days depending on the type of
  infection.
• Gonorrhea is treated with a single 200 mg dose.
• Urinary tract
  infections are treated with 100 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
• The dose for
  skin or skin structure infections is 400 mg every 12 hours for 70 to 14 days.

Which drug or supplement interactions occur with
this drug?

• Probenecid increases the
  concentration of
  cefpodoxime in the blood.
  Drugs that reduce acidity in the stomach (for example,
  antacids, H2-blockers,
  proton pump inhibitors) may reduce absorption of
  cefpodoxime.
• Combining cefpodoxime with drugs that reduce kidney function may increase the
  risk of harm to the kidney.

What brand names are available for cefpodoxime proxetil?

Vantin and Banan are the brand names available for this medicine in the US.

Is this medicine safe to take if I'm
pregnant or breastfeeding?

Doctors and researchers have not established if this drug is safe to take
during pregnancy because there are'nt adequate studies in
pregnant
women. However, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus.

This medication is excreted in
human milk. The levels of cefpodoxime in human
milk were 0, 2 and 6% of blood levels at 4 hours after a 200 mg oral dose. At 6
hours after dosing, the levels in breast milk were 0%, 9% and 16% of the
concentration of cefpodoxime in blood. Women should decide whether to
discontinue
breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug.

What else should I know about this
medication?

• Tablets and granules should be stored at room
  temperature, 20 C – 25 C (68 F – 77 F). After mixing the granules with water,
  the suspension should be stored in a refrigerator, 2 C to 8 C (36 F to 46 F).
  The suspension should be shaken well before using and discarded if unused after
  14 days.
• This medication is available as tablets in 100 mg and 200 mg and granules for
  oral
  suspension in 50 and 100 mg/5 ml.
• The FDA approved cefpodoxime proxetil in August, 1992.