Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Cephalosporins are a group of antibiotics used to treat infections caused by certain bacteria. These may include infections of the lung, urine, skin and soft tissue.
 

Examples of Cephalosporins include:

• Cephalexin
• Cefadroxil
• Cefuroxime
• Cefixime 
   

How should I take/use this medication?
 

• Refer to the following table to find out when to take your medication:

• Take the medication as prescribed by the doctor, at evenly spaced intervals, to keep a constant level of medication in the body.
   
• You should complete each course of antibiotics even if you feel better as incomplete treatment might cause the infection to return or cause antibiotic resistance. When antibiotic resistance happens, the antibiotic will not be able to control the growth or kill the bacteria anymore.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take?
 

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to penicillins, such as Amoxicillin, and other cephalosporins
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies 
• You have kidney problems
• You are taking warfarin, a medication to thin your blood
• You are taking probenecid, a medication used to treat gout
   

Cephalosporins can affect the levels of other medications in your body. Do let your doctor know what other medications, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal products you are taking before starting on your antibiotic.

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

Some common side effects that you may experience include:

• Mild diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Nausea or vomiting
   

Taking the medication with food may reduce these symptoms.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
 

Some rare but serious side effects include: 

• Serious diarrhoea that does not stop, blood or mucus in your stools
• Very bad stomach pain or cramps
• Signs of an infection such as fever, chills, bad sore throat, pain when you pass urine or have mouth sores or wounds that do not heal
• Signs of low platelet levels such as unusual bleeding or bruising 
• Signs of liver injury, which may include dark coloured urine, light coloured stools, severe nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain or yellowing of skin or eyes
   

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?
 

Take these medications 2 hours apart from probiotics.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 
 

Antibiotic powders that have been reconstituted may have different storage conditions. Follow the instructions as stated on the label or as advised by your healthcare professional. Discard any unused portion after the duration stated on the label.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from.
 

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
 

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore.The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
 

Last updated on January 2024