Tooth Trouble

In addition to my current woes, the decaying tooth on the right upper side of my mouth has started to play up again. I've decided to take the plunge and swallow the prescribed antibiotics for five days prior to the extraction of the tooth. It's not a great idea to have a decaying tooth just sitting in my gum. It is subject to chronic low level infection that from time to time flares up and becomes acutely infected. I have an appointment scheduled for Thursday the 27th June.

I need to take two 200mg tablets of Cefixime Trihydrate daily for five days. Here is what Google's Gemini spat out when asked about the medication.

Cefixime Trihydrate is a prescription antibiotic medication belonging to the third-generation cephalosporin class. Here's a breakdown of its key characteristics:

Uses:

Treats a variety of bacterial infections, including:

Ear infections (otitis media)

Strep throat

Bronchitis

Pneumonia

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Gonorrhea (often as a single-dose treatment)

Lyme disease (in some cases)

How it Works:

Cefixime works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation. This weakens the cell wall and prevents bacteria from multiplying and spreading.

Dosage and Administration:

Dosage depends on the specific infection being treated, the patient's age and weight, and kidney function.

Available as tablets, chewable tablets, and suspension (liquid) for oral administration.

Typically taken once a day, with or without food.

Side Effects:

Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache.

Less common side effects include rash, yeast infections, and allergic reactions.

Important Considerations:

Antibiotic Resistance: Like all antibiotics, overuse or misuse of Cefixime can contribute to antibiotic resistance. It's crucial to take it exactly as prescribed and complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms improve.

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you have allergies to penicillin or other cephalosporin antibiotics.

Kidney Function: Cefixime is eliminated from the body by the kidneys. If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor might adjust the dosage.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Consult your doctor about the safety of Cefixime during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Here's hoping. The dosage is quite high and to quote from this website:

Cefixime Trihydrate Film coated caplet and Film coated tablet : For adults and children weighing > 30 kg, the usual recommended daily dose is 50 – 100 mg (potency) of Cefixime given orally twice daily. Dosage should be adjusted according to the age, body weight and condition of the patient. For more severe or intractable infection, the dosage may be increased up to 200 mg (potency) given twice daily.

So it's bad news for bacteria, good and bad, but after the extraction I'll hopefully be able to repair my devastated gut biome.