CEFIXIME (cefixime)

Drug overview for CEFIXIME (cefixime):

Generic name: CEFIXIME (sef-IX-eem)
Drug class: Beta-Lactams
Therapeutic class: Anti-Infective Agents

Cefixime is a semisynthetic, third generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

Cefixime is a cephalosporin antibiotic that is used orally for the treatment of various infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Because cefixime has a long serum half-life and can be administered once or twice daily, some clinicians suggest that the drug may be particularly useful when patient compliance is a concern (e.g., in the treatment of otitis media). Although cefixime is an effective alternative to other anti-infective agents for the treatment of many infections, the drug offers no clear advantage (except for a convenient dosage regimen) over other equally effective, less expensive anti-infectives available for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections or upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

In addition, use of cefixime as empiric therapy in some infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, soft tissue infections) is limited by its spectrum of activity since the drug is inactive against staphylococci, enterococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because cefixime is inactive against most anaerobic bacteria, the drug is ineffective in and should not be used alone if a mixed aerobic-anaerobic bacterial infection is suspected. Prior to initiation of cefixime therapy, appropriate specimens should be obtained for identification of the causative organism(s) and in vitro susceptibility tests. Cefixime therapy may be started pending results of susceptibility tests, but should be discontinued and other appropriate anti-infective therapy substituted if the organism is found to be resistant to cefixime.