cefpodoxime
Brand names: Vantin
Cefpodoxime is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$1.08/unit
Generic Available
Yes (4 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Cefpodoxime treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.
Common side effects
Diarrhea, Nausea, Vaginal fungal infections
Key warnings
You should not take cefpodoxime if you are allergic to cefpodoxime or other cephalosporin antibiotics.
How It Works
Cefpodoxime works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It prevents bacteria from forming the cell walls they need to survive. This kills the bacteria and helps your body fight off the infection.
How to Take It
Take cefpodoxime tablets by mouth with food to help your body absorb the medicine. The usual dose is 100 to 400 mg every 12 hours, depending on the infection. Take it for the number of days prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it early, even if you feel better.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine. It is not known if cefpodoxime will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
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 cefpodoxime tablets at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).
Serious Warnings
You should not take cefpodoxime if you are allergic to cefpodoxime or other cephalosporin antibiotics.
Known Drug Interactions
Probenecid As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, renal excretion of cefpodoxime was inhibited by probenecid and resulted in an approximately 31% increase in AUC and 20% increase in peak cefpodoxime plasma levels.
Mechanism: Probenecid slows down how fast your kidneys remove cefpodoxime from your body, leading to higher drug levels in your system.
What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of cefpodoxime to prevent levels from getting too high.
Common Questions
Can I take cefpodoxime if I'm allergic to penicillin?
Can I drink alcohol while taking cefpodoxime?
Does cefpodoxime interact with other medications?
What should I do if I have severe diarrhea while taking cefpodoxime?
How long does it take for cefpodoxime to work?
Can I crush or chew cefpodoxime tablets?
What if I feel better before I finish all the cefpodoxime?
Can cefpodoxime cause a yeast infection?
Is cefpodoxime safe for children?
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction to cefpodoxime?
What are the common side effects of cefpodoxime?
Does cefpodoxime interact with other medications?
What drug class is cefpodoxime?
Is cefpodoxime safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Third-Generation Cephalosporin
Other drugs grouped near cefpodoxime — same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with cefpodoxime →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with cefpodoxime →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with cefpodoxime →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with cefpodoxime →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with cefpodoxime →
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What the FDA Data Shows for cefpodoxime
The FDA label for cefpodoxime (sold under brand names such as Vantin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Third-Generation Cephalosporin class. Cefpodoxime treats mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Nausea, Vaginal fungal infections.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $1.08.
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: June 19, 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