What Suprax Paediatric is and what it is used for
Suprax Paediatric 100mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension (called Suprax Paediatric in this leaflet) contains a medicine called cefixime. This belongs to a group of antibiotics called ‘cephalosporins’.
Suprax Paediatric is specially made for children. The bottle contains powder which has been mixed with water by your pharmacist. The suspension is strawberry flavoured and is ready to use.
Suprax is used to treat infections caused by bacteria These include infections of the:
- Ear
- Nose, sinuses (such as sinusitis)
- Throat (such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis)
- Chest and lungs (such as bronchitis and pneumonia)
- Urinary system (such as cystitis and kidney infections)
Before you give Suprax Paediatric to your child
Do not give this medicine to your child and tell their doctor if:
- Your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to cefixime, any other cephalosporin antibiotics including penicillin or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine
- Signs of an allergic reaction include; a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat and tongue
Do not give this medicine to your child if the above applies to them.
If you are not sure, talk to your child’s doctor or your pharmacist before giving Suprax.
Take special care with Suprax Paediatric Check with your child’s doctor or your pharmacist before giving this medicine if your child:
- Has ever had colitis
- Has severe kidney problems
Is under 6 months
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to your child, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your child’s doctor or your pharmacist
if your child is taking or has recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Suprax Paediatric can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Suprax Paediatric works.
In particular, tell your child’s doctor if they are taking:
Medicines to thin the blood such as warfarin Pregnancy and breast-feeding
This medicine is specially made for children However, if you are taking this medicine as an adult, you should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if:
- You are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant
- You are breast-feeding or planning to breast feed
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
Tests
If your child requires any tests (such as blood or urine tests) while taking this medicine, please make sure your child’s doctor knows that your child is taking Suprax Paediatric
Important information about some of the ingredients of Suprax Paediatric
Suprax Paediatric contains:
- Sucrose: This is a type of sugar If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take this medicine
Taking this medicine
Always use Suprax Paediatric exactly as your child’s doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure
The amount of medicine given will depend on the weight and age of your child
Give this medicine to your child by mouth
Suprax comes with a measuring spoon that can measure 3.75ml to 5ml. Use this spoon to give your child the medicine
The dose can be given in one go or the dose can be divided into two and given at different times
If you feel the effect of the medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your child’s doctor
Carefully read the label from the pharmacist. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure about the dose to give. The medicine should be taken for the prescribed number of days IB
How much to give
The usual dose is:
Adults, Elderly and Children over 10 years or weighing more than 50kg
10ml to 20ml each day, depending on the infection
Children 5 to 10 years old
10ml each day Children 1 to 4 years old
5ml each day
Children 6 months to 1 year old
3.75ml each day
- If your child has more Suprax Paediatric than they should
- If your child has too much of this medicine, talk to your child’s doctor straight away.
- If you forget to give Suprax Paediatric to your child
- If you forget to give your child a dose, give it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose
Do not give a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you stop giving Suprax Paediatric to your child
Do not stop giving your child the medicine without talking to your doctor. Your child should not stop taking Suprax just because he or she feels better This is because the infection may come back or get worse again.
lf you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Suprax Paediatric can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor straight away or go to the nearest hospital casualty department if you notice any of the following serious side effects -your child may need urgent medical treatment:
If your child has an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, joint pain, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Blistering or bleeding of the skin around the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Also flu-like symptoms and fever.. This may be something called ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’.
Severe blistering rash where layers of the skin may peel off to leave large areas of raw. exposed skin over the body. Also a feeling of being generally unwell, fever, chills and aching muscles This may be something called ‘Toxic epidermal necrolysis’.
If your child gets a skin rash or skin lesions with a pink/red ring and a pale centre which may be itchy, scaly or filled with fluid. The rash may appear especially on the palms or soles of your feet. These could be signs of a serious allergy to the medicine called ‘erythema multiforme’.
If your child get infections more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood disorder This normally gets better after stopping the medicine.
If your child bruises or bleeds more easily than normal. This could be because of a blood disorder. This normally gels better after stopping the medicine.
Stop giving your child this medicine and contact the child’s doctor without delay if they get:
Severe watery diarrhoea that will not stop and your child is feeling weak and has a fever this may be something called ‘Pseudomembranous colitis’
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a few days
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Stomach pains, indigestion or wind
- Headaches
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling itchy in the genital or vaginal area Tell your child’s doctor if any of the side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet
Blood tests
Suprax Paediatric can cause blood clots or small changes to the way the liver and kidney work. This would be shown up in blood tests This is not common and goes back to normal after stopping this medicine.
If you think your child is reacting badly to the medicine or having any problems, then discuss it with the child’s doctor or your pharmacist.
How to store Suprax Paediatric
Keep out ol the reach and sight of children After the powder has been mixed with water by the pharmacist, keep the bottles of medicine at room temperature (below 25T) Do not freeze.
After being mixed with water, Suprax Paediatric can be used for 14 days. Any liquid remaining after 14 days should be returned to your pharmacist.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further information
What Suprax Paediatric 100mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension contains
Each 5ml spoonful of liquid contains 100mg of the active substance cefixime
The other ingredients are sucrose, xantham gum, sodium benzoate and strawberry flavour.
What Suprax Paediatric looks like and content of the pack
Suprax Paediatric is available in 50ml and 100ml bottles and comes with a measuring spoon that can measure 3.75ml to 5ml. Not all pack sizes maybe marketed.
The bottle contains powder which will have been mixed with water by your pharmacist, to form a strawberry flavour medicine ready for use.