Before taking cefpodoxime

Before taking cefpodoxime make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other antibiotics.

How to take cefpodoxime

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take cefpodoxime exactly as your doctor has told you. It is usually taken twice each day.
• Take cefpodoxime at regular intervals and complete the prescribed course. It is important to take the full course (even if you feel your infection has cleared up) to prevent the infection from coming back.
• Take your doses with or after a meal.
• Avoid taking indigestion remedies at the same time of day as cefpodoxime. This is because antacids can interfere with the way cefpodoxime is absorbed by your body.
• Try to take cefpodoxime at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking cefpodoxime.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with cefpodoxime.

Can cefpodoxime cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• A severe skin rash.
• Jaundice, fever, and pain in your joints.
• Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or face.
• Severe diarrhoea.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store cefpodoxime

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Keep the oral liquid in a refrigerator and remember to check the expiry date on the bottle - do not use it after this date.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Orelox® Tablets 100mg, sanofi-aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2010.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Orelox® Paediatric Granules for Oral Suspension, sanofi-aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2010.
• British National Formulary; 61st Edition (March 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)