Ceftin (Cefuroxime)

Stomach upset/pain, diarrhea, nausea, gas, headache, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: nausea/vomiting that doesn’t stop, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness, new signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn’t go away, fever), easy bruising/bleeding, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine), mental/mood changes (such as confusion).

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn’t stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.

Precautions:

Before taking cefixime, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics (such as cephalexin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, a certain intestinal disease (colitis).

Cefixime may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using cefixime before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

The chewable form of this medication may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid aspartame (or phenylalanine) in your diet, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this medication safely.

Interactions:

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Products that may interact with this drug include: “blood thinners” (such as warfarin).

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as certain diabetic urine tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.