Spectracef (Cefditoren Pivoxil)

(sef dit' or in)

Cefditoren is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as bronchitis (infection of the airway tubes leading to the lungs); pneumonia; and infections of the skin, throat, and tonsils.Cefditoren is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria. Antibiotics such as cefditoren will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Cefditoren comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 12 hours with the morning and evening meals for 10 to 14 days, depending on the condition being treated. Take cefditoren at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefditoren exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You should begin to feel better during your first few days of treatment with cefditoren. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor. Take cefditoren until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefditoren too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely cured and bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Before taking cefditoren,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefditoren; other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor, cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef) and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to milk protein, or any of the other ingredients in cefditoren tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); medications that block stomach acid such as cimetidine , famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid) and ranitidine (Zantac); medications that decrease stomach acid such as dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium, in Vimvo), lansoprazole (Prevacid, in Prevpac), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex); or probenecid (Probalan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have carnitine deficiency (a rare condition in which the body does not have enough of a certain substance that is needed for energy production). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take cefditoren.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefditoren, call your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Cefditoren may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• heartburn
• headache
• swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
• white vaginal discharge

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
• hives
• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• closing of the throat
• a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

Cefditoren may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light and excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking cefditoren. If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.If you test your blood for sugar, check with your doctor or pharmacist to recommend the best product to use while taking this medication. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.