Cedax Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Cedax Capsule contains ceftibuten, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is used to treat acute bacterial flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, acute bacterial middle ear infections, and pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. It works by stopping bacteria from building their cell walls, leading to bacterial death. Cedax should be used exactly as prescribed and taken for the full course of treatment.

What is Cedax Capsule

Cedax (ceftibuten) is a cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Cedax Capsule uses

• Acute bacterial flare-ups of chronic bronchitis caused by certain bacteria
• Acute bacterial middle ear infections (otitis media) caused by certain bacteria
• Pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

Benefits of Cedax Capsule

• Treats bacterial throat infections.
• Helps treat middle ear infections.
• Treats certain respiratory tract infections.
• Helps stop the growth of susceptible bacteria.
• Helps relieve infection symptoms as the bacteria are eliminated.

How Cedax Capsule works

Ceftibuten works by attaching to proteins that bacteria need to build their cell walls, which blocks wall formation and leads to the bacteria's death.

Cedax Capsule dosage

Cedax Oral Suspension should be taken at least 2 hours before a meal or at least 1 hour after a meal. Food can affect how well the capsule form is absorbed, so take it consistently with regard to meals as your doctor advises. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor, even if symptoms improve before the infection is fully treated. Ceftibuten will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Elderly patients may need their dose adjusted and should be monitored closely, particularly for kidney function.

Available forms and strengths

Capsule

Side effects of Cedax Capsule

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Belching
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset or pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Tired feeling
• Stiff or tight muscles
• Numbness or tingly feeling
• Feeling agitated, irritable, restless, or hyperactive
• Dry mouth
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Stuffy nose, noisy breathing
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Itching or skin rash
• Vaginal itching or discharge

Serious

• Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
• Black stool
• Change in the amount of urine
• Joint pain
• Fever
• Persistent sore throat
• Easy bleeding or unusual bruising
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Seizure
• Mood changes, confusion
• Persistent or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping, blood or mucus in stool
• Severe dizziness
• Fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
• Increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your doctor before starting Cedax if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ceftibuten, other cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs, because cross-reaction between these drug types can occur in up to 10% of people with a penicillin allergy. 
• Stop the drug right away if an allergic reaction happens.
• Severe diarrhea linked to antibiotic use (pseudomembranous colitis) can occur during or after treatment and can range from mild to life-threatening.
• This medicine is not suitable for people with a known allergy to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics.
• Cedax should be prescribed carefully in people with a history of gastrointestinal disease, especially colitis.
• Taking too much of this type of antibiotic can irritate the brain and lead to seizures.
• Cedax should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, as prescribed by a doctor.
• It is not known if ceftibuten passes into breast milk at normal doses, so caution is advised and you should consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
• People with reduced kidney function, especially those with a creatinine clearance below 50 mL/min or who are on dialysis, may need a lower dose and should be monitored closely.
• Avoid if allergic to ceftibuten or cephalosporin antibiotics.
• Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease.
• Seek medical help for severe diarrhea or bloody stools.

Storage

• Store the capsules between 36°F and 77°F (2°C and 25°C)
• Replace cap securely after each opening
• For the oral suspension, keep tightly closed, shake well before each use, store in the refrigerator after mixing, and discard any unused portion after 14 days

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have watery or bloody diarrhea, fever with chills and body aches, unusual bleeding, blood in your urine, a seizure, pale or yellowed skin with dark urine and confusion, yellowing of the skin or eyes, swollen glands with rash or joint pain, a severe blistering or peeling skin rash with fever and sore throat, or signs of kidney trouble like reduced urination, swelling, and shortness of breath.

If you get diarrhea that is watery or contains blood while taking this medicine, call your doctor and do not take anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Alternatives

• Cefdinir
• Cefpodoxime
• Cefixime