cefixime
Brand names: Suprax
Cefixime is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in your body. It is used to treat several different types of bacterial infections.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$5.84/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cefixime treats infections like urinary tract infections, ear infections, and sore throats.
Common side effects
Diarrhea (16%), Nausea (7%), Loose stools (6%)
Key warnings
Cefixime can cause severe allergic reactions, including shock and death.
How It Works
Cefixime belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This helps your body fight off the infection.
How to Take It
The usual dose for adults is 400 mg per day. You can take it as a 400 mg tablet or capsule once a day. Or, you can split the 400 mg tablet in half and take one half every 12 hours. You can take cefixime with or without food.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Studies haven't shown harm to the fetus, but it's important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether cefixime passes into breast milk.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store the powder for oral suspension at room temperature. After mixing, store in the refrigerator or at room temperature and throw away any unused portion after 14 days.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 1,666 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,824 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
2,824
Death-Related Reports
188
Hospitalization Reports
1,301
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 276 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 268 |
| 3 | PYREXIA | 162 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 155 |
| 5 | DIARRHOEA | 150 |
| 6 | PAIN | 143 |
| 7 | FATIGUE | 131 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 130 |
| 9 | MALAISE | 129 |
| 10 | HEADACHE | 122 |
| 11 | VOMITING | 116 |
| 12 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 111 |
| 13 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 110 |
| 14 | ASTHENIA | 88 |
| 15 | COVID-19 | 87 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Cefixime can cause severe allergic reactions, including shock and death. Stop taking cefixime and get medical help right away if you have any signs of an allergic reaction. Cefixime can also cause severe diarrhea due to a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Tell your doctor right away if you have diarrhea while taking cefixime.
Known Drug Interactions
(7.1) Increased prothrombin time, with or without clinical bleeding, has been reported when cefixime is administered concomitantly with warfarin and anticoagulants. 7.2 Warfarin and Anticoagulants Increased prothrombin time, with or without clinical bleeding, has been reported when cefixime is administered concomitantly.
Mechanism: Cefixime can interfere with how your body processes warfarin, making your blood thinner than intended and increasing the risk of bleeding.
What to do: Your doctor may need to check your blood clotting time more often and adjust your warfarin dose.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported in postmarketing experience when cefixime is administered concomitantly. (7.2) 7.1 Carbamazepine Elevated carbamazepine levels have been reported in postmarketing experience when cefixime is administered concomitantly. Drug monitoring may be of assistance in detecting alterations in carbamazepine plasma concentrations.
Mechanism: Cefixime can cause the levels of carbamazepine to build up in your blood, which could lead to side effects.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your carbamazepine blood levels and adjust your dose if necessary.
Common Questions
Can I take cefixime if I'm allergic to penicillin?
Does cefixime interact with other medications?
Can cefixime cause false positive test results?
What should I do if I get diarrhea while taking cefixime?
How long should I take cefixime?
Can I use the tablets instead of the oral suspension for an ear infection?
What if my child can't swallow pills?
Can I take cefixime with food?
What happens if I take too much cefixime?
Who should not take cefixime?
What are the common side effects of cefixime?
Does cefixime interact with other medications?
What drug class is cefixime?
Is cefixime safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Third-Generation Cephalosporin
Other drugs grouped near cefixime — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with cefixime →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with cefixime →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with cefixime →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with cefixime →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with cefixime →
Medication Guides
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Common Drug Interactions
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Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for cefixime
The FDA label for cefixime (sold under brand names such as Suprax) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Third-Generation Cephalosporin class. Cefixime treats infections like urinary tract infections, ear infections, and sore throats. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea (16%), Nausea (7%), Loose stools (6%).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 1,666 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $5.84.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: February 14, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages