Suprax Side Effects

Generic name: cefixime

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

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

For the Consumer

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

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking cefixime (the active ingredient contained in Suprax) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• fever, sore throat, and joint pain with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• numbness or tingly feeling;

• warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• fast or pounding heartbeats;

• chest pain, shortness of breath.

Less serious side effects of cefixime may include:

• mild nausea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite;

• anxiety, drowsiness;

• increased night-time urination;

• headache;

• runny nose, sore throat, cough; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

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

General

Cefixime (the active ingredient contained in Suprax) 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.

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.