Cefpodoxime Proxetil — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies

Cefpodoxime proxetil is an oral third-generation cephalosporin used for mild to moderate infections, including middle ear infections, strep throat and tonsillitis, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, sinusitis, and certain skin and respiratory infections. It's a prodrug — the proxetil ester is converted to active cefpodoxime after absorption, and taking it with food actually improves how well it's absorbed, which is different from many antibiotics where food timing doesn't matter much.

Because it's a cephalosporin, it shares a chemical backbone with penicillins, and cross-reactivity in people with a documented penicillin allergy is well established, occurring in up to about 10% of that group. The FDA label also specifically notes that only intramuscular penicillin — not cefpodoxime or other oral options — has been proven effective for preventing rheumatic fever after strep throat, so it isn't interchangeable with penicillin for that specific purpose even though it treats the acute infection.

The WHO AWaRe framework classifies cefpodoxime as a Watch antibiotic, reflecting that third-generation cephalosporins are a step up in spectrum from first-line drugs like amoxicillin and should generally be reserved for situations where that broader coverage, or a documented penicillin allergy, makes it the better choice.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Cefpodoxime proxetil is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy to cefpodoxime or to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics.

Warnings

WARNINGS BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFPODOXIME PROXETIL IS INSTITUTED, CAREFUL INQUIRY SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS HAD PREVIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CEFPODOXIME, OTHER CEPHALOSPORINS, PENICILLINS, OR OTHER DRUGS. IF CEFPODOXIME IS TO BE ADMINISTERED TO PENICILLIN SENSITIVE PATIENTS, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED BECAUSE CROSS HYPERSENSITIVITY AMONG BETA-LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS HAS BEEN CLEARLY DOCUMENTED AND MAY OCCUR IN UP TO 10% OF PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY. IF AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO CEFPODOXIME PROXETIL OCCURS, DISCONTINUE THE DRUG.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category B Cefpodoxime proxetil was neither teratogenic nor embryocidal when administered to rats during organogenesis at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (2 times the human dose based on mg/m2) or to rabbits at doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (1 to 2 times the human dose based on mg/m2). There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies of cefpodoxime proxetil use in pregnant women.