Category- Allopathy
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat throat infections (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia) 2. To treat ear infections (otitis media) 3. To treat sinus infections 4. To treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) 5. To treat skin and soft tissue infections 6. To treat dental infections 7. To treat typhoid fever |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Diarrhea or loose stools 2. Nausea or vomiting 3. Stomach pain or indigestion 4. Gas or bloating 5. Headache |
| Additional Information | This medicine should only be used under medical supervision |
| Storage | 1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature. 2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture. 3. Keep away from the reach of children. |
| How to Take This Medicine | This medicine is meant to be taken orally. |
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid Uses
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid is an antibiotic medicine. It is used to kill bacteria and treat symptoms of conditions like:
- Throat infections such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and pneumonia
- Ear infections (otitis media)
- Sinus infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Skin and soft-tissue infections
- Dental infections
- Typhoid fever
Directions for use
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid side effects
More Common
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach pain or indigestion
- Gas or bloating
- Headache
Less common
- Skin rash or itching
- Mild allergic reaction
- Vaginal yeast infection
How Cefixime + Clavulanic acid works
Clavulanic acid first works by blocking the bacteria’s protective enzyme (beta-lactamase) that would normally destroy the antibiotic. This protection allows the antibiotic to work properly. Cefixime then kills the bacteria by breaking their outer covering (cell wall), causing them to burst and die. Together, they work better as a combination to clear the infection effectively.
Safety Measures and Warning
Allergy/Hypercreativity
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any antibiotics.
Kidney Problems
Communicate with your doctor, if you have kidney problems as the medicine may build up in your body and increase side effects.
Liver Problems
Always communicate with your doctor about your past disease history, as liver diseases will reduce the metabolism and can lead to toxicity or side effects.
History of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
Avoid if you previously developed severe diarrhea or any gut infection caused by bad bacteria (i.e. C. difficile) after taking antibiotics, unless your doctor decides it’s necessary.
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid Interaction with other Medicines
Avoid taking Cefixime + Clavulanic acid with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid Interaction with Food Products
Avoid alcohol as it worsens nausea or dizziness. Drink plenty of water to help the body absorb and eliminate the medicine properly.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature.
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
- Keep away from the reach of children.
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
Cefixime: (6R,7R)-7-[[(2Z)-2-(2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-2-(carboxymethoxyimino)acetyl]amino]-3-ethenyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid

Clavulanic acid: (2R,3Z,5R)-3-(2-hydroxyethylidene)-7-oxo-4-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptane-2-carboxylic acid

Intake routine/cycle
Daily Dose
Take Cefixime + Clavulanic acid exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Overdose
It is not recommended to take Cefixime + Clavulanic acid more than the prescribed amount. Overdose may cause tremors, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, or high blood pressure. In case of any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help.
Cefixime + Clavulanic acid Summary
Cefixime 50 mg + Clavulanic acid 125 mg / 30 ml is an antibiotic combination used to treat bacterial infections such as respiratory, urinary, ear, throat, skin, dental infections, and sometimes typhoid fever. Cefixime kills bacteria by rupturing the skin of the bacteria, while clavulanic acid blocks bacterial proteins that cause antibiotic resistance, allowing cefixime to work effectively. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and headache, while serious allergic reactions are rare.
Inform your doctor about your health condition so they can decide the right dose and whether it should be used carefully. It should be taken after food, and the full course must be completed for proper treatment.
FAQ’s
What are the side effects of Cefixime?
Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, gas, and skin rash.
What is the adult dosage for Cefixime?
The usual dose is 200 mg twice daily or 400 mg once daily, as prescribed by the doctor.
What is the pediatric dose of Cefixime?
The usual dose is 8 mg/kg/day, given once or in two divided doses, as prescribed by the doctor based on the child’s weight and condition.
What is the mechanism of action of Clavulanic Acid?
Clavulanic Acid works by inhibiting bacterial beta-lactamase enzymes, which normally destroy antibiotics like amoxicillin. By blocking these enzymes, it protects the antibiotic and allows it to effectively kill bacteria.
What are the uses of Clavulanic Acid?
Clavulanic Acid is used in combination with antibiotics like amoxicillin to treat bacterial infections. It helps treat infections such as throat infections, ear infections, sinus infections, chest infections, urinary tract infections, skin and soft-tissue infections, dental infections, and infections caused by bacteria resistant to amoxicillin alone.
What are the side effects of Clavulanic Acid?
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and mild skin rash. Rare but serious side effects may include severe allergic reactions (swelling, hives, difficulty breathing), severe diarrhea (C. difficile infection), liver problems (jaundice, dark urine), dizziness, or yeast infections. Seek medical help if severe symptoms occur.
Reference
- Mermer S, Deniz Akyol, Mehmet Buğra Özkara, Sabire Şöhret Aydemir, Oğuz Reşat Sipahi. Cefixime-clavulanic acid in ESBL-producing E. coli lower urinary tract infections: a 13-patient case series. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2025 Sep 29;25(1).
- PubChem. Cefixime [Internet]. Nih.gov. PubChem; 2019. Available from
- Cefixime [Internet]. go.drugbank.com. Available from
- Uto LR, Gerriets V. Clavulanic Acid [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Available from
- DrugBank. Clavulanic acid [Internet]. go.drugbank.com. 2025 Available from

Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.