Cefditoren

Generic name: cefditoren
Brand name: Spectracef
Dosage form: oral tablet (200 mg; 400 mg)
Drug class: Third generation cephalosporins

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is cefditoren?

Cefditoren is a prescription medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections.

Description

Cefditoren Pivoxil tablets contain cefditoren pivoxil, a semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for oral administration. It is a prodrug which is hydrolyzed by esterases during absorption, and the drug is distributed in the circulating blood as active cefditoren.

Chemically, cefditoren pivoxil is (-)-(6R,7R)-2,2-dimethylpropionyloxymethyl 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxy-iminoacetamido]-3-[(Z)-2-(4-methylthiazol-5-yl)ethenyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate. The empirical formula is C25H28N6O7S3 and the molecular weight is 620.73. The structural formula of cefditoren pivoxil is shown below:

cefditoren pivoxil

The amorphous form of cefditoren pivoxil developed for clinical use is a light yellow powder. It is freely soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and soluble at levels equal to 6.06 mg/mL in ethanol and <0.1 mg/mL in water.

Cefditoren Pivoxil tablets contain 200 mg or 400 mg of cefditoren as cefditoren pivoxil and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, mannitol, magnesium stearate, sodium caseinate (a milk protein), and sodium tripolyphosphate. The tablet coating contains carnauba wax, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide. Tablets are printed with ink containing opacode blue S-1-10533.

Before taking cefditoren, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to milk, talk with the doctor.
If you are allergic to cefditoren; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have low carnitine levels.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with cefditoren.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take cefditoren with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take cefditoren?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take cefditoren. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Have your blood work checked if you are on cefditoren for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
If you have high blood sugar (diabetes) and test your urine glucose, talk with your doctor to find out which tests are best to use.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take cefditoren.
Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
If you are 65 or older, use cefditoren with care. You could have more side effects.
Do not give to a child younger than 12 years of age.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using cefditoren while you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is cefditoren best taken?

Use cefditoren as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Keep taking cefditoren as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Take cefditoren with food.
Do not take antacids within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking cefditoren.
Do not take cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, or ranitidine at the same time as cefditoren. Talk with your doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of cefditoren that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
Fever or chills.
Sore throat.
Feeling very tired or weak.
Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
Seizures.
Vaginal itching or discharge.
Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.

What are some other side effects of cefditoren?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Upset stomach.
Diarrhea.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out cefditoren?

Store at room temperature.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Label

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

SRC: NLM .

Jump To