Cefixime

Pronunciation: sef-IKS-eem.

Generic name: cefixime
Drug class: Third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic
Form: Capsule, tablet, chewable tablet, and oral suspension depending on product and country
Route: Oral
Legal status: Prescription-only medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · Canada

What cefixime is and how it works

Cefixime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that works by interfering with bacterial cell-wall synthesis. It is used for certain labelled susceptible-bacterial infections including uncomplicated urinary tract infection, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and uncomplicated cervical/urethral gonorrhoea. (1)

Cefixime is suitable for adults and children six months or older. The exact indication, formulation, dose, and duration must be determined by a clinician. It does not treat viral infections, and improper use can encourage resistance.

Mechanism of action: how cefixime works

Cefixime is a third-generation cephalosporin that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to cell lysis and death. (1)

What cefixime is used for

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection

Cefixime may be prescribed for uncomplicated UTI caused by susceptible bacteria when oral treatment is appropriate and the prescriber has applied the current product label. (1)

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis

It may be used for pharyngitis or tonsillitis due to susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes when penicillin alternatives are indicated. Confirm bacterial aetiology; most sore throats are viral. (1)

Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

Cefixime may be prescribed for acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis when the pathogen is susceptible and the current label criteria are met. (1)

Uncomplicated cervical/urethral gonorrhoea

Labelled for uncomplicated gonorrhoea due to susceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Co-infection screening and partner treatment should follow clinical guidelines. (1)

Before taking cefixime

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not take cefixime after a severe hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction to cefixime, another cephalosporin, or a product ingredient unless the responsible clinician determines otherwise under the exact product label. (all products) (1)
Do not use cefixime to treat a viral respiratory or throat infection, or a condition without confirmed or strongly suspected susceptible-bacterial cause. (all indications) (1)

Tell your clinician about

Any previous allergy to penicillin, a cephalosporin, or another antibiotic.
Kidney disease or a condition requiring renal-dose adjustment.
A history of colitis, severe diarrhoea with antibiotic use, or Clostridioides difficile infection.
If you take warfarin, another anticoagulant, carbamazepine, or any medicine that affects clotting.
Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

(1)

How to take cefixime

Cefixime is taken by mouth according to the clinician's dose, formulation, and duration prescription.
Swallow capsules or tablets whole with water. For the oral suspension, shake the bottle well and measure with the supplied dosing device.
Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve early, unless the clinician directs otherwise.
Do not change the dose, formulation, or stop early yourself.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed one. Contact the prescribing clinician if you are unsure.

Overdose

If a large amount may have been taken or you are concerned, contact a poison-information service or seek emergency care. Signs may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal discomfort; seizure risk is unresolved in the supplied notes. (1)

Side effects

Most side effects are mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but serious hypersensitivity and C. difficile-associated diarrhoea can occur.

Gastrointestinal effects

What to notice: Diarrhoea, loose or frequent stools, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, or dyspepsia.

What to do: Maintain hydration. Tell the prescriber if diarrhoea is severe, watery, bloody, or accompanied by fever or abdominal cramping. (1)

Headache or dizziness

What to notice: Mild to moderate headache or light-headedness.

What to do: Report persistent or troublesome symptoms to the prescriber. (1)

Severe or prolonged diarrhoea

What to notice: Watery or bloody diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramping that may develop during or weeks after treatment.

What to do: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly. Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicines unless the clinician specifically directs. (1)

Hypersensitivity reaction

What to notice: Rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face or tongue, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.

What to do: Contact the clinician promptly. Seek emergency care immediately for throat tightness, breathing difficulty, or collapse. (1)

Serious warnings

Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis — emergency

Symptoms: Wheezing, difficulty breathing, throat or tongue swelling, throat tightness, severe hives, faintness, or rapid heartbeat.

Action: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Cephalosporins can cause serious allergic reactions. (1)

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea — urgent

Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramping, which may occur during or up to several weeks after finishing the antibiotic course.

Action: Contact the prescribing clinician urgently for assessment. Do not self-treat with anti-diarrhoea products. (1)

Unexplained bleeding or bruising — urgent

Symptoms: Unusual bleeding, easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts, or blood in urine or stool.

Action: Contact the prescribing clinician promptly, especially if also taking warfarin or another anticoagulant. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Warfarin and other anticoagulants	Increased prothrombin time and bleeding risk can occur.	The prescriber should monitor clotting parameters closely and adjust anticoagulant dose as needed. (1)
Carbamazepine	Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported.	Give the prescriber a complete medicine list; monitoring and dose adjustment may be needed. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Children

Cefixime is labelled for children six months and older. The exact formulation, dose, and indication must follow the current product label and prescriber's assessment; adult dosing cannot be extrapolated to a child. (1)

Kidney impairment

Dose adjustment is required when kidney function falls below the label-defined threshold. The prescriber must use current product information to determine the adjusted dose and interval. (1)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives with the clinician. Do not stop a prescribed antibiotic course without the prescriber's assessment. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Confirm the bacterial diagnosis, indication, and that a cephalosporin is appropriate.
Assess previous antibiotic hypersensitivity, especially to penicillins and cephalosporins.
Review kidney function and the need for dose adjustment.
Record all concurrent medicines, especially anticoagulants, carbamazepine, and other antibiotics.

During treatment

Monitor for diarrhoea, hypersensitivity, bleeding, and signs of superinfection or C. difficile colitis.
Reassess the bacterial diagnosis and susceptibility if the response is inadequate.
Check anticoagulation parameters more frequently in patients taking warfarin or related agents.

(1)

Storage

Store at room temperature as directed by the specific product labelling. Reconstituted oral suspension should be kept refrigerated and discarded after the labelled number of days. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Apply the current local product labelling, susceptibility data, and treatment guidelines.

United States

Indication: Any cefixime use

Dose summary: Dose, interval, formulation, and duration depend on the indication, age, weight, and renal function. The current US label provides indication-specific adult and paediatric dosing tables.

Renal context: Renal dose adjustment is required when creatinine clearance falls below the label-specified threshold. Use the current product information to calculate the adjusted dose and interval. (1)

All other regions

Indication: Any cefixime use (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

The supplied notes do not provide hepatic-impairment-specific dosing; use specialist judgement and local product information.

Overdose note

Overdose may require supportive care, gastric decontamination if appropriate, and monitoring for gastrointestinal and neurological effects. Contact a poison centre for current guidance. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Can cefixime treat a cold, flu, or viral sore throat?

No. Cefixime is an antibiotic that works against certain susceptible bacteria; it has no effect on viral infections like the common cold, influenza, or most sore throats. Using antibiotics for viral illness can increase bacterial resistance. (1)

Can I stop taking cefixime when I feel better?

Do not stop early unless the prescriber directs. Finish the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve, to help ensure the infection is properly treated and to discourage resistant bacteria. (1)

I have a penicillin allergy. Can I take cefixime safely?

Cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is possible. You must tell the prescriber about any previous antibiotic allergy, especially anaphylaxis, severe skin reaction, or breathing difficulty. The prescriber will assess the risk and decide whether cefixime is appropriate for you. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of cefixime?

Cefixime is a third-generation cephalosporin that inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins, leading to cell lysis and death. (1)

What is the generic name of Cefixime?

The generic name is cefixime. (1)

What class of drug is cefixime?

Cefixime is classed as: Third-generation oral cephalosporin antibiotic. (1)

References

CEFIXIME capsule (prescribing information)U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · United States · dated 2026-03 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
CEFIXIME CAPSULE [REMEDYREPACK INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
Cefixime — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
Cefixime — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA204835)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
cefixime — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 25033)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient cefixime names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

cefixime (1)current regulator label · product-dependent · See current FDA prescribing information (DailyMed label revised March 2026)

Canada

SUPRAX

View brands in additional countries.