Suprax Side Effects

Generic Name: cefixime

Please note - some side effects for Suprax may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Suprax - for the Consumer

Suprax

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 Suprax:

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

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Suprax:

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.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Suprax 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 Suprax Suspension:

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

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Suprax Suspension:

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.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Top

Suprax Side Effects - for the Professional

Suprax

Most of adverse reactions observed in clinical trials were of a mild and transient nature. Five percent (5%) of patients in the U.S. trials discontinued therapy because of drug-related adverse reactions. The most commonly seen adverse reactions in U.S. trials of the tablet formulation were gastrointestinal events, which were reported in 30% of adult patients on either the BID or the QD regimen. Clinically mild gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 20% of all patients, moderate events occurred in 9% of all patients and severe adverse reactions occurred in 2% of all patients. Individual event rates included diarrhea 16%, loose or frequent stools 6%, abdominal pain 3%, nausea 7%, dyspepsia 3%, and flatulence 4%. The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions, including diarrhea and loose stools, in pediatric patients receiving the suspension was comparable to the incidence seen in adult patients receiving tablets.

These symptoms usually responded to symptomatic therapy or ceased when cefixime was discontinued.  

Several patients developed severe diarrhea and/or documented pseudomembranous colitis, and a few required hospitalization.

The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of cefixime. Incidence rates were less than 1 in 50 (less than 2%), except as noted above for gastrointestinal events.

Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, loose stools, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting. Several cases of documented pseudomembranous colitis were identified during the studies. The onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after therapy.

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions (including shock and fatalities), skin rashes, urticaria, drug fever, pruritus, angioedema, and facial edema. Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and serum sickness-like reactions have been reported.

Hepatic: Transient elevations in SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, hepatitis, jaundice.

Renal: Transient elevations in BUN or creatinine, acute renal failure.

Central Nervous System: Headaches, dizziness, seizures.

Hemic and Lymphatic Systems: Transient thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and eosinophilia. Prolongation in prothrombin time was seen rarely.

Abnormal Laboratory Tests: Hyperbilirubinemia.

Other: Genital pruritus, vaginitis, candidiasis, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

In addition to the adverse reactions listed above which have been observed in patients treated with cefixime, the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibiotics:

Adverse reactions: Allergic reactions, superinfection, renal dysfunction, toxic nephropathy, hepatic dysfunction including cholestasis, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, and colitis.

Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment when the dosage was not reduced. If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

Abnormal Laboratory Tests: Positive direct Coombs test, elevated LDH, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis.

Top

Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

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.

Top

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.