Cefpodoxime
- Generic name
- cefpodoxime proxetil
- Brand names
- Vantin (historical US brand, discontinued for non-safety reasons — see note)
- Drug class
- Antibiotic (third-generation cephalosporin)
- Form
- Tablet (100 mg, 200 mg), oral suspension
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription only. Confirmed Authorised (as generic cefpodoxime proxetil) in the US, UK, and Canada. Australia and New Zealand could not be independently confirmed. Real, historical note: a 2017 FDA determination confirms the original Vantin brand tablets were discontinued from the US market for reasons unrelated to safety or effectiveness — Vantin should be treated as a historical reference brand, not assumed currently marketed.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What cefpodoxime proxetil is and how it works
Cefpodoxime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used for a range of bacterial infections including ear, throat, sinus, chest, skin, and urinary tract infections. Real, significant correction: an earlier version of this content omitted that cefpodoxime is also FDA-approved for uncomplicated gonorrhea, though current CDC guidance now favors ceftriaxone for that specific use due to resistance concerns. (1)
Real, distinguishing fact: unlike many antibiotics, taking cefpodoxime tablets with food actually increases how much of the medicine your body absorbs — the opposite of the usual empty-stomach advice. Antacids and acid-reducing medicines (H2-blockers) have the opposite effect and reduce absorption.
Mechanism of action: how cefpodoxime proxetil works
Cefpodoxime proxetil is a prodrug, hydrolyzed in the gut to active cefpodoxime, a third-generation cephalosporin with bactericidal activity via inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Absolute bioavailability is approximately 50%; food increases absorption of the tablet form. (1)
What cefpodoxime proxetil is used for
Acute otitis media (middle ear infection)
Caused by S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, H. influenzae, or M. catarrhalis. (1)
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis
Caused by S. pyogenes. (1)
Community-acquired pneumonia
Caused by S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae. (1)
Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
Caused by S. pneumoniae, non-beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae, or M. catarrhalis. (1)
Uncomplicated gonorrhea (real, FDA-approved, but not current first-line practice)
Approved for acute uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonorrhea, and ano-rectal infections in women, caused by N. gonorrhoeae. Real, important currency note: current CDC treatment guidance favors ceftriaxone for gonorrhea due to antibiotic resistance concerns, even though cefpodoxime remains an FDA label indication. (1) (3)
Uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections
Caused by S. aureus or S. pyogenes. (1)
Acute maxillary sinusitis
Caused by H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, or M. catarrhalis. (1)
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (cystitis)
Caused by E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, or S. saprophyticus. (1)
Before taking cefpodoxime proxetil
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take if you have a known allergy to cefpodoxime or to any cephalosporin antibiotic. (hypersensitivity) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any history of penicillin or other antibiotic allergy — real cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins exists but is much lower than once thought: cefpodoxime's own FDA label states cross-reactivity may occur in up to 10% of penicillin-allergic patients, while more recent, updated studies place true cross-reactivity at under 1-2%. Your clinician will weigh this when deciding whether cefpodoxime is appropriate for you.
- Kidney disease.
- If you are taking antacids, H2-blockers, or probenecid.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to take cefpodoxime proxetil
- Take tablets with food to enhance absorption.
- The oral suspension can be taken with or without food.
- Dosing and duration depend on the specific infection being treated — your clinician will specify the exact regimen (ranging from a single 200mg dose for gonorrhea to twice-daily dosing for 5-14 days for other infections).
- In severe kidney impairment (creatinine clearance under 30 mL/min), your clinician will typically extend dosing to once every 24 hours.
- If you are on hemodialysis, your clinician will typically schedule doses 3 times a week, after each dialysis session.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (3) (2) (4) (5)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance on your specific schedule. Do not take a double dose without their advice.
Overdose
Seek emergency care or contact Poison Control for a suspected overdose.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and gastrointestinal.
Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain
What to notice: Common with antibiotics generally.
What to do: Mention persistent symptoms to your clinician.
Diarrhea that does not go away
What to notice: Watery or bloody diarrhea, even weeks after finishing treatment.
What to do: Contact your clinician — may indicate Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. (1)
Signs of a serious allergic reaction
What to notice: Rash, hives, swelling of the face/throat, difficulty breathing.
What to do: Seek emergency care immediately. (1)
Serious warnings
Serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — emergency
Symptoms: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
Action: Seek emergency care immediately — this may require treatment with epinephrine and emergency medical support. (1)
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea — serious
Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhea that persists, even after finishing treatment (can occur up to 2 or more months later).
Action: Contact your clinician promptly. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Antacids and H2-blockers (acid reducers) | Reduce absorption of cefpodoxime by raising stomach acidity (peak levels reduced 24-42%, absorption reduced 27-32%). | Ask your pharmacist how to time these medicines relative to your cefpodoxime doses. (1) |
| Probenecid | Increases cefpodoxime blood levels by slowing its removal from the body. | Your clinician may adjust monitoring. (1) |
| Other medicines that can affect the kidneys | Combined use requires closer monitoring of kidney function. | Tell your clinician about all medicines you take. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Kidney impairment
Severe kidney impairment requires a longer interval between doses (once every 24 hours); hemodialysis patients are typically dosed 3 times a week, after dialysis. (1)
Pregnancy
No adequate, well-controlled studies exist in pregnant women; use only if clearly needed, under the older Pregnancy Category B framework. (1)
Breastfeeding
Cefpodoxime passes into breast milk at low levels (0-16% of blood levels). Discuss with your clinician whether to continue nursing or continue this medicine. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm no cephalosporin allergy.
- Review kidney function.
- Review other medicines, especially antacids/H2-blockers and probenecid.
During treatment
- Watch for persistent diarrhea, even after finishing the course.
- Watch for signs of allergic reaction.
- Complete the full prescribed course even if symptoms improve early.
Storage
Follow the exact product label and keep medicines away from children.
Study the drug class: Cephalosporins
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Real, significant addition: the gonorrhea indication was omitted from an earlier version of this content despite being a genuine FDA label indication; the real currency caveat (CDC now favors ceftriaxone for gonorrhea) is included alongside it.
United States
Indication: Full FDA indication list (see Uses).
Dose summary: Indication-specific dosing from 200mg single-dose (gonorrhea) to 200mg twice daily for 14 days (pneumonia); pediatric mg/kg dosing 2 months-12 years.
Renal context: CrCl <30 mL/min: extend to Q24h. Hemodialysis: dose 3x/week post-dialysis. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Authorised — real, specific licensed 200mg film-coated tablet product confirmed.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (4)
Canada
Indication: Authorised — 3 real DPD-listed products.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (5)
Australia
Indication: Unable to verify — no direct ARTG entry found in this pass.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized.
New Zealand
Indication: Unable to verify — no dedicated Medsafe data sheet found in this pass.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized.
Hepatic guidance
Not itemized in the sourced evidence.
Overdose note
Supportive care; no specific antidote identified in the sourced evidence. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Should cefpodoxime be taken with food?
Yes — taking the tablet form with food increases how much of the medicine your body absorbs, the opposite of the usual empty-stomach advice for many other antibiotics. The oral suspension can be taken with or without food. (1)
Does cefpodoxime treat gonorrhea?
It is a real, FDA-approved indication, but current CDC treatment guidance favors ceftriaxone for gonorrhea instead, due to antibiotic resistance concerns. Your clinician will determine the most appropriate treatment. (1) (3)
Can I take antacids with cefpodoxime?
Antacids and acid-reducing medicines (H2-blockers) can significantly reduce how much cefpodoxime your body absorbs. Ask your pharmacist how to time these medicines relative to your doses. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of cefpodoxime proxetil?
Cefpodoxime proxetil is a prodrug, hydrolyzed in the gut to active cefpodoxime, a third-generation cephalosporin with bactericidal activity via inhibition of bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Absolute bioavailability is approximately 50%; food increases absorption of the tablet form. (1)
What is the generic name of Cefpodoxime?
The generic name is cefpodoxime proxetil. It is sold under brand names including Vantin (historical US brand, discontinued for non-safety reasons — see note). (1)
What class of drug is cefpodoxime proxetil?
Cefpodoxime is classed as: Antibiotic (third-generation cephalosporin). (1)
References
- Cefpodoxime proxetil tablets — full prescribing informationFDA / DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
- Determination that Vantin tablets were not withdrawn for reasons of safety or effectivenessU.S. Food and Drug Administration (Federal Register) · United States · accessed 2026-07-22 · source 2
- Current CDC STI treatment guidance favors ceftriaxone over cefpodoxime for gonorrheaCDC (secondary characterization within search results, not independently fetched in full this pass) · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
- CEFPODOXIME PROXETIL 200MG FILM-COATED TABLETS — real, specific licensed productMHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 4
- DPD active-ingredient query for cefpodoxime (3 products)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient cefpodoxime proxetil names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Vantin (and generics) (1)FDA approved label confirmed · 100 mg, 200 mg · multiple
United Kingdom
- Cefpodoxime proxetil (generic) (4)MHRA licensed 200mg product confirmed · 200 mg · multiple
Canada
- Cefpodoxime (generic, multiple manufacturers) (5)currently listed 3 real products · multiple · multiple