Cefixime
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Cefixime for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(sef-iks-eem)
Description:
This medicine is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Suprax®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- there are no standard veterinary products listed.
- For people:
- this medicine may come as 100 mg and 200 mg chewable tablets;
- 400 mg tablets and capsules; and
- a liquid you take by mouth (oral suspension) in these strengths:
- 100 mg/5 mL (20 mg/mL)
- 200 mg/5 mL (40 mg/mL)
- 500 mg/5 mL (100 mg/mL)
Antimicrobial Classification:
- Critically Important
This information page does not include every detail that exists about this medicine, and it has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace medical guidance. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- This antibiotic may be given either with food or without food. Giving it with food may help reduce stomach and gut problems such as reduced appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your pet throws up or seems unwell after getting the medicine on an empty stomach, try giving the next dose with food or a small treat. If the vomiting does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
- The side effects seen most often are diarrhea, vomiting, and reduced appetite.
- Give this medicine for the full time your veterinarian ordered, even if your animal appears to be improving.
- Medicines in the cephalosporin group can smell like cat urine. This smell is expected.
How is this medication useful? Cefixime for pets
For dogs and cats, cefixime is used for infections that do not respond to other antibiotics. This medicine is approved for people, but it is not officially approved for animals. In some cases, the FDA allows veterinarians to prescribe medicines that contain this drug for different animal species or for different medical problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is the best fit.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Share the information below with your veterinarian so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can affect how cefixime works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about every product your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products. Also include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had treatment in the past for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine problems your animal has had, including allergic-type reactions, poor appetite, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine should begin to act within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see changes right away. Your animal should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
This medicine does not last long in the body. It generally stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns related to using this medicine for your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
- That are allergic to it or drugs like it (other cephalosporins).
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
- That have kidney failure.
If your animal fits either of these situations, discuss the possible risks and benefits with your veterinarian.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
If you notice the signs listed below, you usually do not need to be highly worried unless they are severe, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Diarrhea, vomiting, and reduced appetite.
- Complete loss of appetite in cats can sometimes lead to serious liver problems.
- Low energy.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Skin rashes, breathing difficulty, and pale gums, which can be signs of an allergic reaction to this medicine.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Giving too much cefixime can be dangerous. It may cause problems such as certain blood problems (anemias) and harm to the kidneys and nervous system, but vomiting is the effect that is most likely to happen. If you may have given a large extra amount by mistake, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance. A consultation fee is charged for these services.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to be effective, give it exactly the way your veterinarian directed. It is also wise to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- Cefixime may be given with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, try the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- Liquid versions must be measured with care. They may be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and they should be shaken well before you give a dose. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special spoons or syringes to help you measure. After the liquid is mixed, throw away any remaining liquid after 14 days.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress for you and your animal.
- This medicine may be prescribed for different lengths of time. Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep going.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed dose. Instead, give the next dose at the regular time. Then continue with the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep cefixime tablets at room temperature, stored in the original prescription container or in an approved pill organizer.
- Liquid forms may be kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
- Throw away any unused liquid after 14 days.
If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made (compounded) version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
Store this medicine where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to people who might search through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place it in the household trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”