Spectracef Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Spectracef Tablet contains cefditoren pivoxil, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the lungs, throat, and skin. It works by stopping bacteria from building their cell walls, which kills the bacteria. It is taken by mouth with meals, generally twice daily, and dosing depends on age and the infection being treated.

What is Spectracef Tablet

Spectracef is an antibiotic tablet used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins.

Spectracef Tablet uses

• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
• Community-acquired pneumonia (mild to moderate)
• Pharyngitis/tonsillitis (strep throat)
• Uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections

Benefits of Spectracef Tablet

• Kills bacteria or stops them from growing, helping clear up bacterial infections of the throat, lungs, and skin
• Treats certain respiratory tract infections
• Treats pharyngitis/tonsillitis
• Treats selected skin and soft-tissue infections
• Covers several susceptible Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
• Provides an oral cephalosporin treatment option

How Spectracef Tablet works

Spectracef works by stopping bacteria from building their cell walls, which kills the bacteria.

Spectracef Tablet dosage

Take Spectracef with meals to help your body absorb the medicine better. Swallow tablets whole with enough water. Try to take doses at evenly spaced times, day and night, to keep a steady amount of medicine in your body. Keep taking this medicine for the full course of treatment, even if you start feeling better after a few days. Do not take antacids or other acid-reducing medicines at the same time as this medicine. Use in children under 12 years old must be decided by a doctor, since this medicine has not been studied in that age group. No dose changes are generally needed for older adults who have normal kidney function for their age, but their kidney function should be monitored.

Available forms and strengths

Film-coated tablets (200 mg and 400 mg)

Side effects of Spectracef Tablet

Common

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Vaginal yeast infection (vaginal moniliasis)
• Dyspepsia (upset stomach)
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Belching
• Dry mouth
• Appetite changes
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Muscle stiffness or tightness
• Muscle pain
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Strange dreams
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itching or skin rash

Serious

• Severe or watery diarrhea, which may be a sign of a serious bowel problem (pseudomembranous colitis)
• Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis (itching, swelling, trouble breathing, severe rash or hives)
• Low white blood cell counts (signs: fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, unusual tiredness)
• Low platelet counts leading to bleeding or bruising problems
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (severe skin reactions)
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems, including acute renal failure
• Seizures, particularly in people with kidney problems

Warnings and precautions

• Before starting this medicine, tell your doctor about any past allergic reactions to this medicine, other cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs. People allergic to penicillin have a higher chance of also reacting to this medicine. If you have an allergic reaction, including a severe one, stop the medicine and get emergency care right away.
• This medicine, like nearly all antibiotics, can cause a serious bowel infection called pseudomembranous colitis, which can range from mild to life-threatening. Watch for diarrhea during or after treatment.
• This medicine is not recommended for long-term use, because similar medicines have caused low carnitine levels in the body with months-long use.
• Do not take this medicine if you have carnitine deficiency or an inherited metabolism disorder that can cause low carnitine, because this medicine increases carnitine loss through urine.
• This medicine contains a milk protein (sodium caseinate). People with milk protein allergy (not lactose intolerance) should not take this medicine.
• This medicine can lower blood clotting ability in some people, especially those with kidney or liver problems, poor nutrition, or long antibiotic courses, or people already on blood thinners.
• It is not recommended to take this medicine together with antacids or acid-reducing medicines like famotidine, as they can reduce how much of the drug your body absorbs.
• This medicine should only be used to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial, to help prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to antibiotics.
• This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed, since there are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
• It isn't known for certain if this medicine passes into human breast milk in meaningful amounts, so caution is advised; one source says studies suggest minimal risk to the infant, while another recommends avoiding use while breastfeeding.
• People with kidney problems may need a lower dose, since the body clears this medicine mainly through the kidneys.
• No dose changes are needed for mild to moderate liver problems, but this medicine has not been studied in people with severe liver impairment.
• No major direct interaction with alcohol is established.
• This medicine may cause dizziness and sleepiness, which could affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Store at 25°C (77°F); brief changes between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F) are allowed
• Protect from light and moisture
• Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any unused medicine

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching, swelling of the eyes or eyelids, trouble breathing or wheezing, severe rash or hives, flushing, fever, chills, or joint pain.
• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of low white blood cells, such as black tarry stools, chest pain, fever, sore throat, mouth sores, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness.
• Get medical help right away if you develop severe or bloody diarrhea with stomach cramps, fever, or unusual tiredness, as this can be a sign of a serious bowel infection. Do not take anti-diarrhea medicine without checking with your doctor first.
• Get medical help right away if you have pain, warmth, or burning in your fingers, toes, or legs, along with dizziness or vision or hearing problems, as this can signal a blood clotting problem.
• If your symptoms do not improve in a few days or get worse, contact your doctor.

Alternatives

• Amoxicillin/clavulanate
• Cefuroxime
• Cefpodoxime