Ceftibuten (Cedex) Drug for Infection: Use, Side Effects, Interactions

Ceftibuten
(Cedex, United States and Canada)

Use:

Ceftibuten or Cedex is a cephalosporin antibiotic used in bacterial infections that are susceptible - acute otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bacterial infections of the bronchi, pneumococcal strains in children that are resistant to penicillin. It has a broad spectrum of activity.
Cephalosporin antibiotics are classified in "generation" according to their antibacterial activity: first generation - cefadroxil, cefazolin, cephalexin, cephalothin, cephapirin, cephradine; second generation - cefaclor, cefamandole, cefmetazole, cefonicid, ceforanide, cefotetan, cefoxitin, cefprozil, cefuroxime, loracarbef; third generation - cefixime, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone.

How It Works:

Ceftibuten or Cedex inhibits bacterial cell wall formation and the bacteria dies.

Side Effects:

Ceftibuten or Cedex is well tolerated, although it can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, and fever.

Cautions for People:

Because there is a cross sensitivity with penicillins, people who are allergic to penicillin should use Ceftibuten or Cedex, and all cephalosporins, carefully.
Ceftibuten or Cedex is expensive and is not usually the first line of treatment.

Drug Interactions:

As with all antibiotics and in combination with other antibiotics, cefprozil has the ability to cause bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Further Reading:

Med Letter 1996;38(970):23
Pediatr Infect Dis J 1995;14:577
Infect Dis Clin Pract 4 Suppl 1995;2:S113

Added to Virtual Drugstore November 1996.

The relevant product monographs must be regarded as the appropriate sources of prescribing information.