Uses
Respiratory Tract Infections
Treatment of acute bronchitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including β-lactamase-producing strains), or Moraxella catarrhalis†.
Treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae (including β-lactamase-producing strains), or M. catarrhalis†.
Treatment of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia† (CAP) caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, E. coli, H. parahaemolyticus, or H. parainfluenzae.
Treatment of mild to moderate sinusitis† caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, E. coli, H. parahaemolyticus, or H. parainfluenzae.
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Treatment of AOM caused by H. influenzae (including β-lactamase-producing strains), M. catarrhalis (including β-lactamase-producing strains), or S. pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci).
Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis
Treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by susceptible S. pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci). Generally effective in eradicating S. pyogenes from the nasopharynx, but efficacy in prevention of subsequent rheumatic fever has not been established to date.
CDC, AAP, IDSA, AHA, and others recommend oral penicillin V or IM penicillin G benzathine as treatments of choice; oral cephalosporins and oral macrolides considered alternatives. Amoxicillin sometimes used instead of penicillin V, especially for young children.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Treatment of uncomplicated UTIs caused by susceptible Escherichia coli or Proteus mirabilis; also has been used for treatment of uncomplicated UTIs caused by susceptible Citrobacter spp.†, C. diversus†, C. freundii†, Enterobacter spp.†, E. aerogenes†, E. agglomerans†, Klebsiella spp.†, K. pneumoniae†, Morganella morganii†, Proteus spp.†, or Serratia†.
Has been used for treatment of uncomplicated UTIs caused by susceptible gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus epidermidis†, Staphylococcus spp.†, Streptococcus agalactiae†, nonhemolytic streptococci†, or Enterococcus faecalis†. Consider that treatment failures have been reported and gram-positive bacteria (e.g., staphylococci, S. agalactiae, enterococci) have been isolated in urine during or after cefixime treatment and usually are resistant to cefixime.
Treatment of pyelonephritis† and other complicated UTIs† caused by susceptible Enterobacteriaceae, including E. coli.
Gonorrhea and Associated Infections
Treatment of uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections† caused by susceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Recommended by CDC as a drug of choice for uncomplicated cervical, urethral, or rectal gonorrhea in adults and adolescents.
Follow-up treatment of disseminated gonococcal infections† after an initial parenteral regimen (ceftriaxone or, alternatively, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, or spectinomycin [not currently commercially available in the US]).
Salmonella and Shigella Infections
Has been used for treatment of typhoid fever (enteric fever) or septicemia caused by multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi†.
Has been used for treatment of shigellosis† caused by susceptible Shigella.
Lyme Disease
Has been used for treatment of disseminated Lyme disease†. Other cephalosporins (cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime axetil) usually recommended by IDSA and others when a cephalosporin is used in the treatment of Lyme disease.
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