Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid
About Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is used to treat various bacterial infections, such as throat infections (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), ear infections (otitis media), sinus infections (sinusitis), pneumonia (lung infection), gonorrhoea (a sexually transmitted infection), anorectal infections in women, as well as skin and urinary tract infections. A bacterial infection happens when harmful bacteria enter the body, multiply, and cause illness. These infections can affect different parts of the body and are usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid contains two medicines: Cefpodoxime (a cephalosporin antibiotic) and Clavulanic acid (a beta-lactamase inhibitor). Cefpodoxime kills bacteria by stopping them from building their protective cell wall. Clavulanic acid helps by blocking enzymes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics, making Cefpodoxime work better. Together, they help clear the infection and prevent it from spreading.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of treatment with Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid based on your condition and the severity of the infection. Some common side effects may include diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. However, talk to your doctor if they persist or become bothersome.
Before starting Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to antibiotics or if you have kidney or liver problems. Do not take Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid on your own without a doctor’s advice, as misuse can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections more challenging to treat. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Avoid using Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid while breastfeeding, as it may pass into breast milk. Do not drink alcohol while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid to reduce the risk of side effects. Be cautious when driving, as Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may cause dizziness. Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
Uses of Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid
• Treats throat infections: Effective against pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by bacteria.
• Manages ear infections: Used in the treatment of otitis media (middle ear infection).
• Relieves sinus infections: Helps treat bacterial sinusitis by clearing the infection.
• Treats lung infections: Effective in managing community-acquired pneumonia.
• Manages sexually transmitted infections: Used in the treatment of gonorrhoea.
• Treats anorectal infections in women: Helps clear bacterial infections in the anorectal region.
• Heals skin infections: Useful for treating bacterial skin conditions like cellulitis or impetigo.
• Treats urinary tract infections: Effective in managing bacterial infections of the urinary tract.
Medicinal Benefits
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid belongs to the group of medicines called antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections such as pharyngitis/tonsillitis (throat infections), otitis media (ear infections), sinusitis (infection of the sinuses), community-acquired pneumonia, gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted disease), anorectal infections in women, skin, and urinary tract infections. Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is a combination of two antibiotics: Cefpodoxime (cephalosporin antibiotic) and Clavulanic acid (beta-lactamase inhibitor). Cefpodoxime works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thus, it kills the bacteria. Clavulanic acid works by decreasing bacterial resistance and enhancing the activity of cefpodoxime against the bacteria. Together, Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid helps to treat bacterial infections. Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including beta-lactamase-producing strains.
Directions for Use
- Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid can be taken with food or without food, as advised by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow the medication as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Drug Warnings
Before starting Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid, please inform your doctor if you have any allergies (to any antibiotic). Inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems before taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid. Do not take Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Consult your doctor before taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Avoid taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid if you are breastfeeding, as Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may pass into breast milk. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid to prevent unpleasant side effects. Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may cause dizziness, so drive with caution. Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is not recommended for children below 8 years of age. Inform your doctor if you have colitis (inflammation in the lining of the colon), or hepatotoxicity as these conditions may cause interactions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may have interactions with vaccines (cholera live, typhoid live, BCG), antibiotics (ketoconazole), immunomodulators (teriflunomide).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have colitis (inflammation in the lining of the colon), or hepatotoxicity as these conditions may cause interactions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid interacts with alcohol. However, avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe this medication only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid passes into breast milk. Please consult the doctor before taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionCefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may cause dizziness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are fully alert.
Liver
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver diseases before taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid to weigh the benefits and risks.
Kidney
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver diseases before taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid to weigh the benefits and risks.
Children
cautionCefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is not recommended for children under 8 years of age. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they might hinder the absorption of antibiotics.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and usage of tobacco.
- Antibiotics can alter the beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which help with indigestion. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
- Drink plenty of soups, and herbal teas to flush out toxins from the body.
- Maintain good hygiene by washing hands regularly.
- Add vitamin C-rich foods in your diet, such as oranges, amla, lemons or avocados, to boost immunity.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms, commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. However, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is used to treat various bacterial infections such as pharyngitis/tonsillitis (throat infections), otitis media (ear infections), sinusitis (infection of the sinuses), community-acquired pneumonia, gonorrhoea (sexually transmitted disease), anorectal infections in women, skin, and urinary tract infections.
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is a combination of two antibiotics, namely: Cefpodoxime (cephalosporin antibiotic) and Clavulanic acid (beta-lactamase inhibitor). Cefpodoxime works by preventing the formation of bacterial cell covering, which is necessary for their survival. Thereby, kills the bacteria. Clavulanic acid works by decreasing bacterial resistance and enhancing the activity of cefpodoxime against the bacteria. Together, Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid helps to treat bacterial infections.
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). Treatment with antibiotics alters the normal flora leading to overgrowth of Clostridium difficile; this causes diarrhoea. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fibre if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience prolonged diarrhoea with abdominal pain, stop taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid and consult your doctor. Do not take anti-diarrheal medicine on your own.
Do not stop taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid despite symptomatic relief. To treat your condition effectively, continue taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid for as long as it has been prescribed for you.
Do not take Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid usually begins to work soon after taking it. However, it may take few days to kill all the harmful bacteria and make you feel better.
If you don't feel better after completing the full course of treatment with Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid, inform your doctor. Also, let your doctor know if your symptoms are worsening while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid.
The use of Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to Penicillins or any other excipients in Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid. It should also be avoided by patients with previous history of liver damage associated with Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid.
No, you are recommended not to take oral contraceptive pills while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid as it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Therefore, discuss with your doctor about using a birth control method which does not affect your hormone levels (such as a diaphragm, condom, and spermicide).
No, do not take higher than the recommended dose of Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid as it may increase the risks of side effects. If your symptoms worsen, while taking Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid, please consult the doctor.
Store Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid at room temperature. Protect from light and moisture. Keep it out of reach of children.
Cefpodoxime+clavulanic Acid may cause certain common side effects, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
