Podocip (Cefpodoxime 200mg)

Podocip general information

What is Podocip used for?

Podocip tablets 200mg are a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat common infections caused by a variety of bacteria in different parts of the body.  These include upper respiratory tract infections, such as ear infections (otitis media), sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis; also lower respiratory tract infections such as, pneumonia and acute bronchitis, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.  Podocip tablets 200mg are also used for genitourinary tract infections like, cystitis and pyelonephritis (kidney infection); skin and soft tissue infections such as, furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle), pyoderma (pus filled skin infection) and impetigo (a blistering sore skin infection).  Podocip 200 is also used to treat genital infections including gonorrhoea, acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, and cervicitis.

How does Podocip work?

Podocip tablets 200mg contain cefpodoxime, a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic, belonging to a sub group of the beta lactam group of antibiotics (which include penicillins).  Cefpodoxime in Podocip tablets 200mg is a prodrug that is hydrolysed to its active form.  The active form of cefpodoxime then attaches to the penicillin binding proteins on the bacterial cell wall. This inhibits the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, which is important for the structural integrity of the cell wall.  Blocking formation of the bacterial cell wall in susceptible bacteria kills the bacteria.  Unlike other beta lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins are less susceptible to destruction by beta-lactamase found in some resistant bacteria.  Cefpodoxime has good stability to bacterial beta-lactamase and is therefore, active against many ampicillin-resistant or amoxycillin-resistant strains.  Cefpodoxime in Podocip 200 is effective against a wide range of common bacteria found in general practice and in hospitals including: Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains and non-resistant strains); Haemophilus influenzae; Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli among others.   

What does Podocip contain?

Podocip tablets 200mg contain the active ingredient cefpodoxime proxetil, a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat common infections caused by a variety of bacteria in different parts of the body

Treating bacterial infection with Podocip

Podocip tablets 200mg contain cefpodoxime, a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat common infections caused by a variety of bacteria in different parts of the body.  These susceptible bacteria include Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains and non-resistant strains); Haemophilus influenzae; Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli among others.  Cefpodoxime in Podocip 200 is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, such as ear infections (otitis media), sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis; also lower respiratory tract infections such as, pneumonia and acute bronchitis, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.  Podocip tablets 200mg are also used for genitourinary tract infections like, cystitis and pyelonephritis (kidney infection); skin and soft tissue infections such as, furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle), pyoderma (pus filled skin infection) and impetigo (a blistering sore skin infection).  Podocip tablets 200mg are also used to treat genital infections including gonorrhoea, acute uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis, and cervicitis.  Cefpodoxime in Podocip tablets 200mg work by blocking formation of the bacterial cell wall in susceptible bacteria, which kills the bacteria.  Cefpodoxime in Podocip tablets 200mg is less susceptible than some penicillin like antibiotics to destruction by beta-lactamase found in some resistant bacteria and can therefore, be used against resistant bacterial strains. 

What are the side effects of Podocip?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Podocip tablets 200mg include gastrointestinal upset, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, skin rash, genital and anal pruritis (itching), due to candida overgrowth, headache, dizziness

When should Podocip not be used?

You should not use Podocip tablets 200mg if you:

• are allergic to cefpodoxime or any other beta-lactams antibiotic, including penicillins or any ingredients in Podocip
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney disease without discussion with your doctor
• have a history of gastrointestinal disease particularly pseudomembranous colitis
• are taking medicines that interact with Podocip, including probenecid for gout, oral contraceptives, anticoagulants like warfarin, medications to reduce gastric acidity may lower bioavailability of cefpodoxime

What medications interact with Podocip?

Several medications interact with Podocip tablets 200mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Podocip or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Podocip: probenecid for gout, medications to reduce gastric acidity may lower bioavailability of cefpodoxime
• Drugs that are affected by Podocip: oral contraceptives, anticoagulants like warfarin

How should Podocip be taken?

You should take your Podocip tablets 200mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, and after food.  The dose you take and how often, depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, which is usually twice daily for an average of 7 days, but may be 5-10 days, depending on your condition.  You should continue to take your Podocip tablets 200mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return.

How long should you take Podocip?

You should continue to take your Podocip tablets 200mg  for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return.

Missed dose of Podocip

If you miss a dose of Podocip tablets 200mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Podocip be stored?

You should store your Podocip tablets 200mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.