Ceftibuten

Ceftibuten comes as a capsule and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 10 days. Take the suspension on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after eating; the capsules can be taken with or without food. Take ceftibuten at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ceftibuten exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with ceftibuten. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take ceftibuten even if you feel better. If you stop taking ceftibuten too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Ceftibuten is also sometimes used to treat urinary tract infections. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking ceftibuten,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ceftibuten; other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor (Ceclor), cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef),and cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in ceftibuten capsules or suspension.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking, or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon [large intestine]), or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ceftibuten, call your doctor.
• If you have diabetes, you should know that ceftibuten suspension solution contains sucrose (sugar).

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Ceftibuten may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• heartburn
• headache
• dizziness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately, or get emergency medical treatment:

• watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
• rash
• itching
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• wheezing
• a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, closed tightly, and dispose of any unused medication after 14 days.

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• seizures

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to ceftibuten.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking ceftibuten.

If you are diabetic and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix or TesTape (not Clinitest) to test your urine while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.