What should not be taken with cefixime tablets?
Nov 22, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Cefixime tablets should generally not be taken with foods containing alcohol or dairy products to avoid disulfiram-like reactions and interference with the drug's absorption. It is also not recommended to take cefixime together with aspirin tablets or chloramphenicol tablets, as this may increase plasma drug concentrations, elevate the risk of bleeding, and potentially impair therapeutic efficacy, leading to treatment failure.
Cefixime tablets generally should not be taken with certain foods and medications.
I. Foods
1. Foods containing alcohol
Cefixime is a cephalosporin antibiotic, and during treatment, it's generally advised to avoid consuming foods containing alcohol, such as chocolate with liquor filling or beer. This is because cephalosporins may interfere with alcohol metabolism, leading to the accumulation of ethanol in the body and causing a disulfiram-like reaction, which can manifest as facial flushing, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylactic shock.
2. Dairy products
Dairy products contain calcium, which, when consumed together with cefixime, may impair the absorption of the drug. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to take cefixime tablets with milk.
II. Medications
1. Aspirin tablets
If aspirin tablets are taken concurrently with cefixime, the blood concentration of cefixime may increase, potentially raising the risk of bleeding. Therefore, simultaneous use of these two drugs is generally not recommended.
2. Chloramphenicol tablets
Taking cefixime together with chloramphenicol may result in chloramphenicol antagonizing the therapeutic effect of cefixime, possibly leading to treatment failure. Therefore, these two medications should not be used together.
