Cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. This includes infections of the sinus, throat, ear, skin, bladder, or lungs.

Cefpodoxime is also used to treat gonorrhea.

Cefpodoxime may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use cefpodoxime if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any type of cephalosporin antibiotic (Omnicef, Keflex, and others).

Cefpodoxime comes as a tablet and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours for 5 to 14 days depending on the condition being treated. A single dose is given to treat gonorrhea. Take the tablet with food; the suspension can be taken with or without food. Take cefpodoxime at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefpodoxime exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

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

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefpodoxime. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take cefpodoxime until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefpodoxime too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics..

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take a cefpodoxime tablet with food.

You may take cefpodoxime oral suspension (liquid) with or without food.

Shake the liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection resistant to medication. Cefpodoxime will not treat a viral infection (flu or common cold).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefpodoxime.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid in a tightly-closed bottle in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.

You should not take cefpodoxime if you are allergic to cefpodoxime or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (cefdinir, cefalexin, Keflex, Omnicef, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• urination problems;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis; or

• an allergy to any type of penicillin.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using cefpodoxime.

Cefpodoxime is not approved for use by anyone younger than 2 months old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

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

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines 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 medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

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

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Cefpodoxime may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

• fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen glands, joint pain, or not feeling well;

• a seizure; or

• liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of cefpodoxime may include:

• diarrhea;

• nausea, stomach pain;

• headache;

• vaginal itching or discharge; or

• diaper rash in an infant using cefpodoxime.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Cefpodoxime can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• probenecid;

• an antacid; or

• a stomach acid reducer (Pepcid, Tagamet, and others).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect cefpodoxime, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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

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

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

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. .

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