Cefixime Dosage: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Cefixime is a popular oral antibiotic used for many common infections – throat, ear, urinary tract, and some stomach bugs. Getting the dose right matters: too little might not clear the bug, too much can raise the risk of stomach upset or a rash. Below is a plain‑English rundown of the usual doses, how to tweak them for special cases, and a few safety pointers.

Standard Adult Dosing

For most infections, an adult takes 400 mg once daily or 200 mg twice daily. The exact schedule depends on the infection type and how severe it is. For example:

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infection: 400 mg once a day for 5‑7 days.
• Gonorrhea (single‑dose therapy): 400 mg taken as a single dose, plus a second 400 mg dose 12 hours later if recommended by your doctor.
• Community‑acquired pneumonia: 400 mg once daily for 5‑10 days.

Take the tablet with a full glass of water. You can swallow it with or without food – food doesn’t change how the drug works, but if you get an upset stomach, a small snack might help.

Kids & Special Situations

Children aren’t given a flat 400 mg dose. Instead, doctors calculate the amount based on weight:

• 8 mg/kg once daily (rounded to the nearest 100 mg tablet) for most infections.
• For ear infections or sinusitis, the dose may be split: 8 mg/kg twice daily.

Always use the exact dose your prescriber writes – guessing can lead to under‑treatment or unnecessary side effects.

Kidney problems also shift the dose. If the doctor knows you have reduced kidney function, they often drop the daily dose to 200 mg or stretch the dosing interval to every 12‑24 hours, depending on the severity.

When you’re on a liquid formulation (often prescribed for kids), the concentration is usually 100 mg/5 ml. Measure with a proper syringe or dosing cup – kitchen spoons are inaccurate.

Missed dose? If you remember within a few hours, take it right away. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue as normal. Don’t double up.

Finish the whole prescription even if you feel better. Stopping early can let the bacteria bounce back, sometimes stronger.

Common side effects include mild diarrhea, nausea, and occasional headache. If you notice a rash, swelling, or trouble breathing, stop the medicine and call a doctor right away – these could be signs of an allergic reaction.

Remember, cefixime works best when taken exactly as prescribed and when you stay hydrated. Keep the bottle tightly closed, store it in a cool, dry place, and keep it out of reach of children.

Got questions about how long you should stay on cefixime or whether it interacts with another drug you’re taking? Ask your pharmacist or doctor – they can tailor the advice to your personal health picture.

Bottom line: the typical adult dose is 400 mg daily, kids get weight‑based dosing, and kidney issues mean lower or less frequent dosing. Follow your doctor’s instructions, finish the course, and you’ll give the infection the best chance of clearing out quickly and safely.