Drug interactions
Cefixime + Chloramphenicol
Severity: Minor
Cefixime and Chloramphenicol: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic and may theoretically blunt the activity of beta-lactams, which depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical evidence of reduced cefixime efficacy is limited and mostly extrapolated from in vitro data.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefixime and Chloramphenicol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Cefixime belongs to Anti Bacterial; Chloramphenicol belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between a bacteriostatic protein synthesis inhibitor and a cell-wall-active bactericidal agent.
What to do
Avoid combining unless clearly needed; if both are used, monitor clinical response and consider an alternative regimen in severe infections.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Cefixime
- Cefixime + Typhoid vaccine live Major
- Cefixime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefixime + Kanamycin Moderate
- Cefixime + Microbiota Moderate
- Cefixime + Plazomicin Moderate
- Cefixime + Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid Moderate
Other interactions of Chloramphenicol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefixime with Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Cefixime and Chloramphenicol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Chloramphenicol is bacteriostatic and may theoretically blunt the activity of beta-lactams, which depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical evidence of reduced cefixime efficacy is limited and mostly extrapolated from in vitro data.
How serious is the interaction between Cefixime and Chloramphenicol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining unless clearly needed; if both are used, monitor clinical response and consider an alternative regimen in severe infections.
What other medicines interact with Cefixime?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefixime with, for example, Typhoid vaccine live, Cholera vaccine, Kanamycin. The full list is on the Cefixime page.
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