Cefixime Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Cefixime may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Cefixime - for the Consumer

Cefixime

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Cefixime:

Diarrhea; gas; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain or upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody stools; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain or cramping; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal discharge or itching; white spots in the mouth; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Cefixime Suspension

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Cefixime Suspension:

Diarrhea; gas; loose stools; nausea; stomach pain or upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody stools; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe stomach pain or cramping; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal discharge or itching; white spots in the mouth; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Side Effects by Body System

General

Cefixime is generally well-tolerated.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea (16%), nausea (7%), loose or frequent stools (6%), flatulence (4%), abdominal pain (3%), dyspepsia (3%), vomiting, and pseudomembranous colitis.

Pseudomembranous colitis may occur during or after treatment with cefixime.

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included urticaria, rash, pruritus, drug fever, angioedema, facial edema, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, serum sickness-like reactions, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, including shock and fatalities, have also been reported.

A case of occupational contact dermatitis due to cephalosporin allergy has been reported in a nurse who prepared cephalosporin solutions for administration to patients. The dermatitis resolved after the nurse stopped preparing the solutions.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, dizziness, somnolence, and seizures. At least one case of encephalopathy has been reported.

Renal

Renal side effects have included transient rises in serum BUN and creatinine, and acute renal failure. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with renal dysfunction and toxic nephropathy.

Interstitial nephritis has been reported rarely in association with other cephalosporins. Fever, azotemia, pyuria, and eosinophiluria are the hallmarks of this disorder.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included transient thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and prothrombin time prolongation. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, positive direct Coombs test, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included hepatitis, jaundice, and transient increases in SGPT, SGOT, and alkaline phosphatase. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included hyperbilirubinemia. Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with increases in LDH.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included genital pruritus, vaginitis, and candidiasis.

Other

Cephalosporin class antibiotics have been associated with superinfection.

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