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Cefpodoxime Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

Applies to cefpodoxime: oral powder for suspension, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Cefpodoxime

Along with its needed effects, cefpodoxime 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 while taking cefpodoxime:

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Cefpodoxime

Some side effects of cefpodoxime 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:

Rare

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to cefpodoxime: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet.

Hypersensitivity

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

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.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal side effects have included diarrhea (7%), nausea (3.3%), and abdominal pain (1.2%). 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, toothache, taste alteration, and taste loss have been reported in less than 1% of patients. Pseudomembranous colitis, bloody diarrhea with abdominal pain, ulcerative colitis, and rectorrhagia with hypotension have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included anemia (less than 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. Easy bleeding or bruising has been reported. Cephalosporins as a class have been associated with aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, prolonged prothrombin time, hemorrhage, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and agranulocytosis.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included increased 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.[Ref]

Respiratory

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

Renal

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

Dermatologic

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

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.[Ref]

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. Change in quantity of urine has been reported.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia (less than 1%).[Ref]

Cardiovascular

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

Metabolic

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

Ocular

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

Other

Other side effects have included 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 in less than 1% of patients.[Ref]

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included galactorrhea with cefpodoxime-associated hyperprolactinemia.[Ref]

References

1. Periti P, Novelli A, Schildwachter G, Schmidt-Gayk H, Ryo Y, Zuck P. Efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil compared with co-amoxiclav in the treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1990;26:63-9.

2. Zuck P, Rio Y, Ichou F. Efficacy and tolerance of cefpodoxime proxetil compared with ceftriaxone in vulnerable patients with bronchopneumonia. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1990;26:71-7.

3. Safran C. Cefpodoxime proxetil: dosage, efficacy and tolerance in adults suffering from respiratory tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1990;26:93-101.

4. Kumazawa J. Summary of clinical experience with cefpodoxime proxetil in adults in Japan. Drugs. 1991;42:1-5.

5. Cox CE, Graveline JF, Luongo JM. Review of clinical experience in the United States with cefpodoxime proxetil in adults with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Drugs. 1991;42:41-50.

6. Product Information. Vantin (cefpodoxime). Pharmacia and Upjohn. 2002;PROD.

7. Filipe P, Almeida RSLS, Rodrigo FG. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from cephalosporins. Contact Dermatitis. 1996;34:226.

8. Romano A, Mayorga C, Torres MJ, Artesani MC, Suau R, Sanchez F, Perez E, Venuti A, Blanca M. Immediate allergic reactions to cephalosporins: Cross-reactivity and selective responses. J Allerg Clin Immunol. 2000;106:1177-83.

9. Khurana V, Gambhir IS. Cefpodoxime-induced hyperprolactinemic galactorrhea. Ann Intern Med. 2010;152:136.

10. Chachaty E, Depitre C, Mario N, et al. Presence of clostridium difficile and antibiotic and beta-lactamase activities in feces of volunteers treated with oral cefixime, oral cefpodoxime proxetil, or placebo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1992;36:2009-13.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.