Cefixime is a semisynthetic, cephalosporin antibacterial for oral administration. Chemically, it is ( 6R,7R )-7-[2-(2-Amino-4-thiazolyl)glyoxylamido]-8-oxo-3-vinyl-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7 2 -( Z )-[O-(carboxy methyl) oxime] trihydrate. Molecular weight = 507.50 as the trihydrate. Chemical Formula is C 16 H 15 N 5 O 7 S 2 .3H 2 O The structural formula for cefixime is: Cefixime is available for oral administration as 400 mg film coated tablets. Inactive ingredients contained in the cefixime tablets, USP 400 mg are: dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Cefixime Structure

Can you take cefixime with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run cefixime against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is cefixime sold under?

We track 2 cefixime-containing products in the U.S.: Cefixime and Suprax. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does cefixime come in?

Across the brands we track, cefixime is currently marketed as capsule, powder, tablet and tablet, chewable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic cefixime?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic cefixime product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has cefixime been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 3 recall records whose product description mentions cefixime. The most recent: Cefixime for Oral Suspension USP (Aug 21, 2024). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Cefixime: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Cefixime is a medicine sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for bronchitis, escherichia coli infections and gonorrhea. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Treats: Bronchitis, Escherichia Coli Infections and Gonorrhea
Available as: Capsule · Powder · Tablet · Tablet, chewable
Sold as: 2 products — Cefixime and Suprax
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $10 for a 30-count supply

How cefixime is dosed

From the FDA label for Cefixime (application ANDA206358). Other cefixime products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Adults: 400 mg daily ( 2.1 ) Children: weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years should be treated with recommended adults dose ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Adults The recommended dose of cefixime is 400 mg daily. This may be given as a 400 mg tablet daily or the 400 mg tablet may be split and given as one half tablet every 12 hours. For the treatment of uncomplicated cervical/urethral gonococcal infections, a single oral dose of 400 mg is recommended. The tablet may be administered without regard to food. In the treatment of infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes , a therapeutic dosage of cefixime should be administered for at least 10 days. 2.2 Pediatric Patients (weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years) Children weighing more than 45 kg or older than 12 years should be treated with the recommended adult dose. Clinical trials of otitis media were conducted with the chewable tablets or suspension, and the chewable tablets or suspension results in higher peak blood levels than the tablet when administered at the same dose. Therefore, the tablet should not be substituted for the chewable tablets or suspension in the treatment of otitis media [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] In the treatment of infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes , a therapeutic dosage of cefixime should be administered for at least 10 days. 2.3 Renal Impairment Cefixime may be administered in the…

Cefixime side effects

Most common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal such as diarrhea (16%), nausea (7%), loose stools (6%), abdominal pain (3%), dyspepsia (3%) and vomiting. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. at 1-844-874-7464 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most commonly seen adverse reactions in U.S. trials of the tablet formulation were gastrointestinal events, which were reported in 30% of adult patients on either the twice daily or the once daily regimen. Five percent (5%) of patients in the U.S. clinical trials discontinued therapy because of drug-related adverse reactions. Individual adverse reactions included diarrhea 16%, loose or frequent stools 6%, abdominal pain 3%, nausea 7%, dyspepsia 3%, and flatulence 4%. 6.2 Post-marketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been reported following the post-approval use of cefixime. Incidence rates were less than 1 in 50 (less than 2%). Gastrointestinal Several cases of documented pseudomembranous colitis were identified in clinical trials. The onset of pseudomembranous…

Every cefixime product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Cefixime products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Cefixime	70/100	Prescription	Capsule	Generic	$10	View →
2	Suprax	Not yet rated	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$10

What cefixime pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Cefixime pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
F;400	400 mg	white	capsule	—
LU;U43	400 mg	pink, pink	capsule	—
CMI;400	400 mg	pink	capsule	—
CFX;400	400 mg	pink	capsule	—
CFX;400	400 mg	pink	capsule	—

Cefixime recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is cefixime?: Cefixime is a semisynthetic, cephalosporin antibacterial for oral administration. Chemically, it is ( 6R,7R )-7-[2-(2-Amino-4-thiazolyl)glyoxylamido]-8-oxo-3-vinyl-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7 2 -( Z )-[O-(carboxy methyl) oxime] trihydrate. Molecular weight = 507.50 as the trihydrate. Chemical Formula is C 16 H 15 N 5 O 7 S 2 .3H 2 O The structural formula for cefixime is: Cefixime is available for oral administration as 400 mg film coated tablets. Inactive ingredients contained in the cefixime tablets, USP 400 mg are: dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Cefixime Structure
Can you take cefixime with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run cefixime against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is cefixime sold under?: We track 2 cefixime-containing products in the U.S.: Cefixime and Suprax. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does cefixime come in?: Across the brands we track, cefixime is currently marketed as capsule, powder, tablet and tablet, chewable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic cefixime?: Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic cefixime product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.