Ceftibuten

[ Pronunciation: SEF ti bue tine ]
Brand Names: Cedax
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What is the most important information I should know about ceftibuten?

donot Do not take this medication if you are allergic to ceftibuten, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.

Before taking ceftibuten, tell your doctor or if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins. Also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis.

finish Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftibuten will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What is ceftibuten?

Ceftibuten is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Ceftibuten is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria.

Ceftibuten may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ceftibuten?

donot Do not take this medication if you are allergic to ceftibuten or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:
  • cefadroxil (Duricef);
  • cefdinir (Omnicef);
  • cefditoren (Spectracef);
  • cefixime (Suprax);
  • cefprozil (Cefzil);
  • ceftazidime (Fortaz);
  • cefuroxime (Ceftin);
  • cephalexin (Keflex); and others.

Before taking ceftibuten, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins) or if you have.

  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
  • a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

nobrfeed It is not known whether ceftibuten passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The ceftibuten suspension (liquid) contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this form of ceftibuten if you have diabetes.

How should I take ceftibuten?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

water Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Ceftibuten should be taken 2 hours before or 1 hour after eating a meal.

shake Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ceftibuten.

finish Take ceftibuten for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Ceftibuten will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
rt Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
refig Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medication that is older than 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

emt Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking ceftibuten?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of ceftibuten?

emt Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
emt Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
  • fever, sore throat, and joint pain with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
  • problems with urination
  • numbness or tingly feeling;
  • bloody or black, tarry stools;
  • confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
  • seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite;
  • headache, dizziness, drowsiness;
  • tired feeling;
  • stuffy nose, dry mouth;
  • mild itching or skin rash;
  • decreased taste sensation; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect ceftibuten?

Before taking ceftibuten, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • cimetidine (Tagamet);
  • ranitidine (Zantac);
  • famotidine (Pepcid);
  • nizatidine (Axid); or
  • theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theobid, Theo-dur, and others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ceftibuten. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start taking a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ceftibuten.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.06. Revision date: 08/13/2008.

Last Updated: 08/13/2008