Cedax (Oral)

Generic name: ceftibuten [ sef-ti-BUE-ten ]
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 1, 2024.

Uses for Cedax

Ceftibuten is used to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It belongs to the class of medicines known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Cedax

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftibuten in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in infants younger than 6 months of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ceftibuten in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ceftibuten.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Cholera Vaccine, Live
Desogestrel
Dienogest
Drospirenone
Estradiol
Ethinyl Estradiol
Ethynodiol
Gestodene
Levonorgestrel
Mestranol
Methotrexate
Nomegestrol
Norethindrone
Norgestimate
Norgestrel
Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of Cedax

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Take the oral liquid at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a meal.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (capsules or suspension):
- For infections:
  - Adults and teenagers—400 milligrams (mg) once a day for 10 days.
  - Infants and children 6 months up to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 9 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day taken for 10 days.
  - Infants up to 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the capsules in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

Precautions while using Cedax

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Ceftibuten may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects of Cedax

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Burning while urinating
confusion
decreased urination
difficult or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
dizziness
dry mouth
fainting
fever
increase in heart rate
lightheadedness
rapid breathing
shortness of breath
sunken eyes
thirst
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
wheezing
wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloating
bloody or cloudy urine
bloody, black, or tarry stools
chest pain
chills
clay-colored stools
cloudy urine
cough or hoarseness
coughing up blood
dark urine
decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
diarrhea
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
fast heartbeat
feeling of discomfort
feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
feeling that others can hear your thoughts
feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
fever with or without chills
general body swelling
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
high fever
hives
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
increased thirst
inflammation of the joints
itching
joint or muscle pain
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle aches
nausea or vomiting
noisy breathing
nosebleeds
pain
pale skin
paralysis
problems with speech or speaking
prolonged bleeding from cuts
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
seizures
severe mood or mental changes
skin rash
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sudden decrease in the amount of urine
swollen lymph glands
swollen or painful glands
unpleasant breath odor
unusual behavior
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight loss
vomiting of blood
wheezing
yellowing of the eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Acid or sour stomach
belching
heartburn
indigestion
loose stools
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Rare

Agitation
bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
bloated, full feeling
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in taste
constipation
cracks in the skin at the corners of the mouth
dry mouth
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
feeling unusually cold
full feeling
headache
hives or welts
increase in the body movements
irritability
itching of the vagina or genital area
pain during sexual intercourse
passing gas
redness of the skin
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sleeplessness
soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails
stuffy nose
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
trouble with sleeping
unable to sleep
weight loss