| Dosage | : | Tablet and suspension form |
| Contains | : | Cefpodoxime |
| Category | : | Cephalosporin (Antibiotics) |
| Uses | : | To treat acute otitis media, pharyngitis, and sinusitis |
| Price | : |
Cepodem is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections such as pneumonia, sinusitis, cystitis, gonococcal infection, etc. caused by bacteria. This medicine is not recommended for use in case of a common cold, flu or viral infections since it is active against infections caused by bacteria only.
Cepodem contains Cefpodoxime. Cefpodoxime is an oral third generation cephalosporin. It is active against most Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Notable exceptions include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides fragilis. It also finds use as oral continuation therapy when intravenous cephalosporins (such as ceftriaxone) are no longer necessary for continued treatment.
Indications for Adults: Cefpodoxime is indicated for use in the short-term treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract infections due to susceptible micro-organisms, acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis pharyngitis and tonsillitis community-acquired bronchopneumonia and acute sinusitis.
Cepodem is product from Sunpharma. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra that manufactures and sells pharmaceutical formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) primarily in India and the United States. The company offers formulations in various therapeutic areas, such as cardiology, psychiatry, neurology, gastroenterology and diabetology. It also provides APIs such as warfarin, carbamazepine, etodolac, and clorazepate, as well as anti-cancers, steroids, peptides, sex hormones, and controlled substances.
This antibiotic is used for a variety of severe bacterial infections. Some of them are explained below.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing
Hospital-acquired pneumonia: Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics and because the people who get it are already sick. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia.
Ear Infection (Otitis Media)
Ear infection, an infection that occurs in the space behind the eardrum, is a common reason why your child sees a healthcare provider. Ear infections happen when bacteria or virus infect and trap fluid behind the eardrum, causing pain and swelling/bulging of the eardrum. Treatments include antibiotics, pain-relieving medications and placement of ear tubes.
Dosage
As directed by your Physician
Administration
As directed by your Physician
Adverse Reactions/ Side Effects
The following side effects have been reported with the use of Cefpodoxime.
Gastro-intestinal: Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pains.
Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness, tinnitus, paresthesia, asthenia.
Hypersensitivity: Cutaneous eruptions and pruritus, urticaria and purpura and bullous eruptions. Anaphylactic reactions e.g. angioedoema, bronchospasm, malaise, possibly culminating in shock may rarely occur.
Haematological: Reduction of haemoglobin, thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and eosinophilia. Neutropenia and agranulocytosis may occur during treatment with cefpodoxime particularly if given over long periods.
Laboratory tests alterations: Elevations of AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, increase of blood urea and creatinine.
Pregnancy Category B: To be taken as per physician advice.
Warnings and Precautions
Before initiating therapy with cephalosporins, careful enquiry should be made concerning previous hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics.
Cephalosporins cross reactivity has been observed in patients with a documented history of beta-lactam allergy. Extreme caution and strict medical supervision is recommended when cephalosporins are administered to patients with a history of beta-lactam anaphylaxis since serious occasionally fatal anaphylaxis may also occur after cephalosporin administration. If an allergic reaction occurs, treatment should be stopped immediately.
Special Precautions:
Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms and, as with other broad spectrum antibiotics, pseudomembranous colitis may develop. It is important to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhoea in association with the use of antibiotics. Such colitis may range in severity from mild to life threatening. Treatment should be discontinued if symptoms suggestive of pseudomembranous colitis usually respond to drug discontinuance alone. When the colitis does not improve after the drug has been discontinued, or when it is severe, oral vancomycin is the medicine of choice for antibiotic associated pseudomembranous colitis produced by C. difficile.
Cephalosporins should be given with caution to patients with renal impairment. There may be a positive response to the Coombs’ test during treatment with cephalosporins.
Use in Children: No paediatrics-specific problems have been documented with the use of Cefpodoxime to date. The safety and efficacy of Cefpodoxime have not been established in children under one year of age.
Use in Elderly: Cefpodoxime may be used at the normal recommended dosage in elderly patients even with mild to moderate renal impairment; however, appropriate modification in dosage is advised in patients with severe renal impairment
Contraindications
Cefpodoxime is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics. Safety of Cefpodoxime for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Drug Interactions
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Overdosage
Overdosage with Cefpodoxime may manifest in any of the symptoms described under Adverse Effects and Precautions. There is no specific antidote for Cefpodoxime. Gastric lavage and other appropriate supportive treatment should be employed. Convulsions and other signs of CNS toxicity have been associated with high doses, especially in patients with severe renal impairment. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Storage
Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
Store in a dry place and protect from light.
Mechanism of Action
Cefpodoxime is a semi-synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic belonging to the third generation oral cephalosporin group. The antibacterial action of cefpodoxime is through inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis probably by acylation of membrane bound transpeptidase enzymes; this prevents cross linkage of peptidoglycan chains, which is necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8613-ear-infection-otitis-media
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
http://www.drugsupdate.com/brand/generic/Cefpodoxime/6045
https://www.mims.com/india/drug/info/cepodem