Note: This document contains side effect information about cefixime. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Suprax.

Applies to cefixime: oral capsules conventional tablets chewable tablets, oral for suspension.

Side effects include:

GI effects (diarrhea, loose or frequent stools, abdominal pain, nausea, dyspepsia, flatulence).

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cefixime: oral capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included gastrointestinal effects, diarrhea, nausea, and/or frequent/loose stools.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea more commonly occurred with higher doses. Treatment cessation was occasionally warranted in patients who developed moderate to severe diarrhea. Patients who develop marked diarrhea should discontinue treatment.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Gastrointestinal effects (up to 30%), diarrhea (up to 16%)

Common (1% to 10%): abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulence, frequent stools, loose stools, nausea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Antibiotic-associated colitis

Frequency not reported: Marked diarrhea, moderate diarrhea, severe diarrhea, pseudomembranous colitis

Postmarketing reports: Colitis^[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alkaline phosphatase increased, ALT increased, AST increased, liver enzyme increased

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis

Frequency not reported: Blood bilirubin increased, jaundice

Postmarketing reports: Cholestasis, hyperbilirubinemia, liver dysfunction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash/skin rash

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pruritus

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme, face edema, urticaria^[Ref]

Nervous system

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Vertigo

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Psychomotor hyperactivity

Frequency not reported: Convulsions, consciousness impaired, dizziness, encephalopathy, movement disorders

Postmarketing reports: Seizures^[Ref]

Encephalopathy included confusion, convulsions, impaired consciousness, and/or movement disorders; beta-lactams predispose patients to the risk of this side effect, especially in cases of overdose or renal dysfunction.

Convulsions occurred with cephalosporins.^[Ref]

Immunologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bacterial superinfection, fungal superinfection

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Serum sickness-like reaction/serum sickness

Postmarketing reports: Candidiasis, superinfection^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angioneurotic edema, hypersensitivity

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic shock

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction/anaphylactoid reaction, angioedema

Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, fatal anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Other

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Mucosal inflammation, pyrexia

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug fever^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Eosinophilia

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia

Frequency not reported: Direct positive Coombs test, granulocytopenia, hypereosinophilia, indirect positive Coombs test, neutropenia, thrombocytosis

Postmarketing reports: Aplastic anemia, prothrombin time prolongation^[Ref]

Renal

Tubulointerstitial nephritis was an underlying pathological condition of acute renal failure.^[Ref]

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood urea increased

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute renal failure, blood creatinine increased, interstitial nephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis

Postmarketing reports: Renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, transient blood urea nitrogen elevation (BUN)^[Ref]

Metabolic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anorexia^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Dyspnea^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Arthralgia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Genital pruritus, vaginitis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Postmarketing reports: Hemorrhage^[Ref]

Endocrine

Postmarketing reports: Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Confusion^[Ref]