Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including SPECTRACEF® should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When SPECTRACEF® is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by SPECTRACEF® or other antibacterial drugs in the future. SPECTRACEF® (cefditoren pivoxil) should be taken with meals to enhance absorption. SPECTRACEF® may be taken concomitantly with oral contraceptives. It is not recommended that SPECTRACEF® be taken concomitantly with antacids or other drugs taken to reduce stomach acids. (See PRECAUTIONS: DRUG INTERACTIONS.)

SPECTRACEF® tablets contain sodium caseinate, a milk protein. Patients with milk protein hypersensitivity (not lactose intolerance) should not be administered SPECTRACEF®.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/17/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.