Suprax
Suprax is an antibiotic belonging to the cephalosporin family, antibiotics closely related to penicillins. It is used in the treatment of certain urogenital and ENT infections. Drug comes in the form of 200 mg tablets and a 100 mg/5 ml oral suspension (for children).
Medication is a 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by inhibiting the synthesis of their cell wall.
The bacterial species sensitive to Suprax are:
- Gram-positive bacteria: Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae;
- Gram-negative bacteria: Branhamella catarrhalis, Citrobacter koseri, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, klebsiella, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, pasteurella, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, providencia;
- Anaerobic bacteria: fusobacterium, prevotella.
Antibiotic is used in the treatment of:
- Certain urinary tract infections ;
- Acute otitis and sinusitis;
- Bronchial and lung infections;
- Genital gonococcal infections in men.
What Does Suprax Contain?
This medicine is a generic of Cefixime. This means that both Suprax and Cefixime contain the same molecule.
How To Take
Suprax tablets may be taken with or without meals. The dosage for adults and children over the age of 12 is 1 tablet, morning and evening. This dosage may be reduced in cases of severe renal impairment.
For gonococcal genital infections, the dosage is a single dose of 2 tablets containing 200 mg.
How long does Suprax take effect?
The therapeutic effect of this drug is observed after several days of treatment.
Side Effects
Taking Suprax can cause digestive problems: abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and difficult digestion.
Medication may also cause headaches and dizziness.
Some patients have reported skin symptoms characteristic of an allergic reaction after taking this antibiotic: skin rash, itching, anaphylactic shock (rare).
Other possible side effects include shortness of breath, vaginal inflammation, jaundice, acute renal failure, abnormal blood counts and increased transaminases.
In very rare cases, this medicine can induce haemolytic anaemia and a serious toxic skin reaction.
Beta-lactam antibiotics also carry a risk of neurological disorders, particularly in the event of overdose or impaired kidney function.
Precautions
The duration of treatment must be respected to avoid relapses or the development of resistance to the antibiotic. If the symptoms of your infection disappear before the end of treatment, do not stop it.
Suprax may cause dizziness. Check your tolerance to the drug during the first few doses, before driving or operating dangerous machinery.
This medicine must not be used if you are allergic to cephalosporins.
When should Suprax not be taken?
This medicine must not be used if you are allergic to cephalosporins. In rare cases, Suprax may cause an allergic reaction, a serious skin reaction or neurological problems (particularly in the event of an overdose). Stop treatment and consult a doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the face (lips, eyelids, etc.) or other parts of the body;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Redness of the skin associated with pustules spreading rapidly all over the body;
- A skin rash with no obvious cause, accompanied by skin detachment or lesions of the mucous membranes;
- Neurological disorders such as convulsions, confusion, impaired consciousness or abnormal movements.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Suprax may be prescribed during pregnancy. Breast-feeding may be continued during treatment with this medicine. However, if any symptoms appear in the infant (diarrhoea, thrush, rash), the doctor should be informed and treatment or breast-feeding may have to be stopped.