Cefpodoxime Side Effects

Brand Names: Vantin

Please note - some side effects for Cefpodoxime 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 Cefpodoxime - for the Consumer

Cefpodoxime

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 Cefpodoxime:

Diarrhea; headache; loose stools; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; seizures; severe diarrhea; skin rash; stomach pain/cramps; vaginal irritation or discharge.

Cefpodoxime 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 Cefpodoxime Suspension:

Diarrhea; headache; loose stools; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; seizures; severe diarrhea; skin rash; stomach pain/cramps; vaginal irritation or discharge.

Side Effects by Body System

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions, such as rash or urticaria, have been reported. Cross-reactivity in penicillin-allergic patients may occur. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience have included Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme, serum sickness-like reactions, and anaphylactic shock.

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea and loose stools may be dose-related and has been reported in 10.4% of patients taking 800 mg cefpodoxime per day, compared to 5.7% of patients taking 200 mg per day. Ten percent of these patients tested positive Clostridium difficile organisms or toxins.

C difficile was isolated in six of six volunteers given cefpodoxime for 10 days compared with one of six volunteers given placebo. The symptoms associated with C. difficile were mild and did not result in withdrawal from the study. The excretion of C. difficile in the stool was not statistically associated with the passage of loose stools and none of the subjects went on to develop pseudomembranous colitis.

In postmarketing experience reports, one death was attributed to pseudomembranous colitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea (7%), nausea (3.3%), and abdominal pain (1.2%) have been reported. Pseudomembranous colitis, vomiting, dyspepsia, dry mouth, flatulence, decreased appetite, constipation, oral moniliasis, anorexia, eructation, gastritis, mouth ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, rectal disorders, tongue disorders, tooth disorders, increased thirst, oral lesions, stomatitis, tenesmus, dry throat, and toothache have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience have included pseudomembranous colitis, bloody diarrhea with abdominal pain, ulcerative colitis, and rectorrhagia with hypotension.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included anemia (<1%), leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, granulocytosis, basophilia, monocytosis, thrombocytosis, decreased hemoglobin, decreased hematocrit, leukopenia, lymphocytopenia, thrombocythemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and eosinophilia, positive Coombs' test, and prolonged PT and PTT. Most of these effects were transient and clinically insignificant. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, hemorrhage, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included transient increases in AST, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and LDH. These changes have generally been transient and clinically insignificant. Acute liver injury has been reported during postmarketing experience. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included asthma, cough, epistaxis, rhinitis, wheezing, bronchitis, dyspnea, pleural effusion, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience have included pulmonary infiltrate with eosinophilia.

Renal

Renal side effects have included increased BUN and creatinine. These changes have generally been transient and clinically insignificant. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience have included purpuric nephritis. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with renal dysfunction and toxic nephropathy.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included urticaria, rash, pruritus, diaphoresis, maculopapular rash, diaper rash, fungal dermatitis, acne, exfoliative dermatitis, desquamation, dry skin, hair loss, vesiculobullous rash, and sunburn. Adverse effects reported during postmarketing experience have included eyelid dermatitis.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache (1%). Dizziness, insomnia, somnolence, anxiety, shakiness, nervousness, cerebral infarction, change in dreams, impaired concentration, confusion, nightmares, paresthesia, vertigo, tinnitus, hallucination, hyperkinesia, syncope, and somnolence have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Some cephalosporins have been associated with seizures in renally impaired patients.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included vaginal fungal infections (1%) and vulvovaginal infections (1.3%). Hematuria, urinary tract infections, metrorrhagia, dysuria, urinary frequency, nocturia, penile infection, proteinuria, vaginitis, and vaginal pain have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Other

Taste alteration and taste loss have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia (<1%).

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included congestive heart failure, palpitations, vasodilation, hematoma, migraine, hypertension, and hypotension.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects reported in less than 1% of patients have included dehydration, gout, peripheral edema, and weight increase. Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoproteinemia, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia have also been reported. These changes have generally been transient and clinically insignificant.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included eye irritation in less than 1% of patients.

Other

Adverse effects affecting the body as a whole have been reported in less than 1% of patients and include fungal infections, abdominal distention, malaise, fatigue, asthenia, fever, chest pain, back pain, chills, generalized pain, abnormal microbiological test, moniliasis, abscess, allergic reaction, facial edema, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, localized edema, and localized pain.

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