Cefixime
Cefixime is a cephalosporin antibiotic for bacterial infections such as chest, urinary tract and throat infections, sold here as 100mg and 200mg capsules.
What cefixime is for
Cefixime is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin family. It stops bacteria from building the wall that holds their cell together, so they break apart and the infection cannot spread. Chest and throat infections, urinary tract infections, and some sinus and gut infections are the usual reasons it is given. Shigella, salmonella and typhoid fever are others. Gonorrhoea is sometimes cleared with a single dose rather than a longer course. Colds and flu are viral, so an antibiotic like cefixime does nothing for them.
Cefixime is a third-generation cephalosporin, a group chosen mainly for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, the usual culprit in bladder infections. It is also used for middle-ear infections and for tonsillitis and pharyngitis (throat inflammation) when bacteria are the cause. Because it is taken by mouth, it suits infections treated at home rather than in hospital.
Taking the capsules
Capsules are swallowed with water, and food makes no difference. Whether a dose falls every 12 hours or every 24 depends on the infection, and the same times each day keep the level steady. The number of days is set by the infection too. Cefixime comes as chewable tablets and as a liquid suspension in some countries, but the capsules here are swallowed whole.
Symptoms often ease before the pack is empty. The capsules still need finishing, because bacteria that outlast a short course can return and be harder to clear the second time.
Side effects to know about
Loose stools, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, wind and heartburn are the usual complaints, and they tend to settle as the course goes on. Two things are not ordinary. Watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps or a fever can appear during treatment or up to two months after it ends, and rash, itching, hives or difficulty breathing can follow a dose. Both need urgent attention.
The listing here
Cefixime is sold here as Cefixime capsules in 100mg and 200mg — plain capsules, with no chewable or liquid version on the site. The 200mg capsule holds twice the dose of the 100mg one, and the strength that suits depends on the infection being treated. The capsules sit in the antibiotics category alongside the rest of the antibacterial range.
Sources
- Cefixime: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- CDC - Antibiotic Use — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Is Cefixime available to order in Hong Kong?
Cefixime can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists Cefixime capsules in 100mg and 200mg. Delivery uses a tracked courier and takes 5 to 9 business days, and you can follow the parcel with online tracking.
How much does Cefixime cost?
Cefixime is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Do I need a prescription to order Cefixime?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order cefixime. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for cefixime?
Cefspan and Suprax are brand names of cefixime, which is also sold as Cefix, Cefolac, Mahacef and Zifi. Here, cefixime can be bought online as cefixime capsules. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does cefixime take to work?
Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms within the first few days of a cefixime course. The infection itself takes longer to clear than the symptoms do, which is why the full number of days matters. An infection that has not shifted after several days may need a different antibiotic.
Is cefixime the same as Suprax?
Suprax is a brand name for cefixime; the active ingredient is the same. PockDose lists the medicine under the ingredient name instead, as plain capsules.
What is the difference between cefixime and amoxicillin?
Both attack the bacterial cell wall, but they belong to different families: amoxicillin is a penicillin, cefixime is a cephalosporin. Cefixime is usually taken once or twice a day, while amoxicillin is commonly taken three times a day.
Can I take cefixime if I am allergic to penicillin?
Cefixime is not a penicillin. It belongs to the cephalosporins, a closely related antibiotic family, and it is sometimes used to treat sinus infections in people who are allergic to penicillin. Penicillin allergy covers anything from a mild rash to swelling of the face or throat.
Can cefixime treat gonorrhoea?
Yes, gonorrhoea is one of the infections cefixime is used for, and it is often treated with a single dose rather than a course lasting several days. The amount used for it is different from the amounts taken for a chest or urinary infection.