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Vantin vs Keflex
Introduction
For patients with bacterial infections, certain antibiotics that interfere with the growth and reproduction of bacteria can be effective in resolving symptoms and aiding recovery. Vantin (Cefpodoxime) and Keflex (Cephalexin) are two such drugs prescribed for this purpose. They both belong to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins but target different types of bacteria and have varying spectrums of activity. Vantin is a third-generation cephalosporin that's particularly useful against gram-negative bacteria, including those resistant to earlier generations of cephalosporins. On the other hand, Keflex is a first-generation cephalosporin primarily targeting gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococci and Streptococci species while also having some effect on certain gram-negative organisms.
Vantin vs Keflex Side By Side
| Attribute | Vantin | Keflex |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Name | Vantin | Keflex |
| Contraindications | Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins, caution in patients with kidney disease. | Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins, caution in patients with kidney disease. |
| Cost | For brand name: around $970 for 20 tablets of 200 mg. For generic (cefpodoxime): between $2.00 and $4.70 per day. | For brand name: about $260 for 28 capsules of 500 mg. For generic (cephalexin): from about $.20 to $.50 per day. |
| Generic Name | Cefpodoxime | Cephalexin |
| Most Serious Side Effect | Severe allergic reactions, signs of liver problems, unusual bleeding or bruising, shortness of breath, fast heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, sudden dizziness, kidney issues, severe nervous system reaction. | Signs of an allergic reaction, severe skin reactions, serious stomach problems, unusual changes in mood or behavior, yellowing of the eyes or skin, little to no urination. |
| Severe Drug Interactions | Live bacterial vaccines, probenecid. | Live bacterial vaccines, probenecid. |
| Typical Dose | 200–800 mg/day, divided into two doses. For adults and children over 12, most common dosage is 400 mg/day. | 250–500 mg orally every 6 hours, up to 4000 mg/day in severe infections. |
What is Vantin?
Cefpodoxime (the generic name for Vantin) is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat various types of bacterial infections, marking an advancement from first-generation antibiotics like cephalexin (the generic name for Keflex). Cefpodoxime was first approved by the FDA in 1998. It works by disrupting bacteria cell wall formation, causing the bacteria cells to die off and thus reducing infection symptoms. This drug is prescribed typically for treating respiratory tract infections, skin and structure infections, as well as urinary tract infections. Compared to Keflex, Vantin has a broader spectrum of activity against more types of bacteria and tends to have fewer side effects due its advanced formulation. However, it's important for patients allergic to penicillin or other cephalosporins to avoid both medications due to potential cross-reactivity.
What conditions is Vantin approved to treat?
Vantin is approved for the treatment of various types of infections:
- Respiratory tract infections, including those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae
- Skin and skin structure infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), including acute cystitis
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea
Similarly, Keflex is also used to treat several kinds of bacterial infections:
- Respiratory tract infection
- Ear infection (otitis media)
- Skin and skin structure infection
- Bone Infections
- Genitourinary tract infection
How does Vantin help with these illnesses?
Vantin, also known as cefpodoxime, is an antibiotic drug that fights bacteria in the body by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. It does this by binding to penicillin-binding proteins located inside the bacterial cell walls. This leads to a weakening of the cell wall structure and ultimately causes it to rupture and die. Bacterial cell walls are essential for their survival, offering protection against both internal osmotic pressure and external environmental stress. Keflex (cephalexin), on the other hand, works similarly but primarily targets Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and E.coli with high efficiency due to its increased permeability into these types of cells. Both Vantin and Keflex belong to a class of drugs called cephalosporins which treat different kinds of bacterial infections effectively.
What is Keflex?
Keflex, also known by its generic name cephalexin, is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls leading to death and elimination of the bacteria. Keflex was first approved by the FDA in 1971 and is widely used for treating various types of bacterial infections including those involving skin, ear, respiratory tract, urinary tract among others.
As Keflex does not belong to penicillins group it is often prescribed to patients who are allergic to penicillin. Its side effect profile differs from that of other antibiotics such as Vantin (a third generation cephalosporin), mainly because it has less gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea or nausea which are common with many antibiotics. Moreover, compared to Vantin it may have a broader spectrum against gram-positive bacteria making it suitable for treating certain types of infections where these organisms predominate.
What conditions is Keflex approved to treat?
Keflex, also known by its generic name cephalexin, is a widely appreciated antibiotic for the treatment of various bacterial infections. These include:
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Urinary tract infections (complicated and uncomplicated) As an oral cephalosporin antibiotic, Keflex offers broad-spectrum coverage against many common pathogens responsible for these conditions.
How does Keflex help with these illnesses?
Keflex, like Vantin, is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. It works by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to the rupture and death of the bacteria. Keflex falls under a group of antibiotics known as cephalosporins and is primarily used to treat infections caused by bacteria including ear infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections and respiratory infections. While both drugs are effective against a range of bacterial strains, Keflex has been around for longer and thus has a well-established safety profile. However it doesn't cover as broad spectrum of bacteria compared to newer generation cephalosporins such as Vantin. Therefore Keflex may be prescribed when the infecting organism is known to be susceptible or in cases when narrow-spectrum antibiotics are preferred.
How effective are both Vantin and Keflex?
Both cefpodoxime (Vantin) and cephalexin (Keflex) are effective antibiotics belonging to the class of cephalosporins, with an established history of successfully treating a wide range of bacterial infections. Both were approved by the FDA in close succession - Keflex was approved in 1971, while Vantin received approval in 1998. Since they act on different generations of cephalosporins (Keflex is first generation while Vantin is third), they may be prescribed under different circumstances.
The effectiveness of both drugs has been studied widely for numerous conditions such as respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections etc., exhibiting similar efficacy profiles. However, due to its broader spectrum activity against gram-negative bacteria, Vantin might be preferred over Keflex in certain cases like urinary tract infections caused by E.coli or Proteus species.
A 2007 review showed that cephalexin remains one of the most commonly used oral first-generation cephalosporins due to its favorable side effect profile and broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive cocci including staphylococci and streptococci strains which makes it ideal for treating skin & soft tissues infections along with certain upper respiratory tract conditions.
A meta-analysis conducted in 2014 demonstrated Vantin's superiority over placebo at clearing up acute otitis media symptoms among children but also noted that data directly comparing it with other common antibiotics like amoxicillin/clavulanate was lacking. Nonetheless, due to its unique pharmacology, Vantin could serve as an optimal treatment option when resistance issues arise or when there's a need for better coverage against specific Gram-negative organisms.
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At what dose is Vantin typically prescribed?
Oral dosages of Vantin range from 200–800 mg/day, divided into two doses. However, studies suggest that the most common dosage is 400 mg/day for adults and children over the age of 12 to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia or skin infections. For children under 12 years old, the dosage can vary depending on weight; typically it's given at a rate of 20 mg/kg/day in equal divided doses every 12 hours. Dosage may be increased if there is no response after a few days but should not exceed the maximum recommended dose of 800 mg per day in any case.
At what dose is Keflex typically prescribed?
Keflex treatment typically begins at a dosage of 250–500 mg orally every 6 hours, or as directed by your healthcare provider. Depending on the severity of the infection and patient response to medication, this dose can be increased to up to 4000 mg/day (4 g/day), divided into four doses, spaced about 6 hours apart. In severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, maximum doses may be required. It's crucial that patients adhere strictly to these dosage guidelines unless otherwise directed by their physician since overuse or misuse could lead to antibiotic resistance.
What are the most common side effects for Vantin?
When comparing Vantin (Cefpodoxime) to Keflex (Cephalexin), common side effects may include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Dizziness, sleepiness/drowsiness
- Rash and skin reactions like itching or hives
- Thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth caused by Candida yeast
- Genital fungal infections due to Candida yeast invasion in certain body areas
- Joint pains
Remember that while these are possible side effects, not everyone experiences them. If you do experience any of these symptoms persistently or they become bothersome, consult with your healthcare provider.
Are there any potential serious side effects for Vantin?
While both Vantin and Keflex are cephalosporin antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, they can have different side effects in rare cases. For Vantin, these may include:
- Severe allergic reactions: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat
- Signs of liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness; loss of appetite; dark urine; clay-colored stools; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeats or fluttering in your chest
- Sudden dizziness or feeling like you might pass out
- Kidney issues - little to no urination; painful or difficult urination; swelling in feet and ankles -Severe nervous system reaction - muscle weakness/numbness/tingling
If you observe any such symptoms while taking Vantin, it's important to seek prompt medical attention.
What are the most common side effects for Keflex?
Keflex, a common antibiotic, can cause some side effects which may include:
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vaginal itching and discharge
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Difficulty swallowing
It should be noted that although these side effects are possible, they do not occur in everyone. If you experience severe symptoms such as persistent vomiting, rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat while on Keflex, seek medical help immediately as these could be signs of an allergic reaction.
Are there any potential serious side effects for Keflex?
While Keflex is typically well-tolerated, some users may experience severe side effects. These can include:
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling in your face or throat
- Severe skin reactions that might come with fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain and a red or purple rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling
- Serious stomach problems: diarrhea that is watery or bloody; severe stomach pain with dizziness
- Unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
- Little to no urination
If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Keflex, seek immediate medical attention.
Contraindications for Vantin and Keflex?
Both Vantin and Keflex, like all antibiotics, can cause a variety of side effects. Should you experience severe diarrhea, persistent nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness, new signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin or easy bruising/bleeding it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Neither Vantin nor Keflex should be taken if you are allergic to cephalosporins or penicillins. Always inform your physician about the medications you are currently taking as some drugs may interact with these antibiotics in a harmful way. For instance; live bacterial vaccines and probenecid should not be taken while using either Vantin or Keflex because they can decrease their effectiveness. Furthermore, both Vantin and Keflex need to be used with caution in patients with kidney disease; dosage adjustment might be necessary given that these medicines are primarily eliminated by the kidneys.
How much do Vantin and Keflex cost?
For the brand name versions of these drugs:
- The price of 20 tablets of Vantin (200 mg) averages around $970, which works out to approximately $48–97/day, depending on your dose (200mg or 400mg daily).
- The cost for a similar quantity and dosage range of Keflex is considerably lower. A pack of 28 capsules (500 mg each) costs about $260, working out to roughly $9/day.
Thus, if you are in the higher dosage range for Vantin (i.e., 400 mg/day), then brand-name Keflex is less expensive on a per-day treatment basis. Please note that cost should not be a primary consideration in determining which of these drugs is right for you.
For the generic versions - cefpodoxime and cephalexin respectively - costs are significantly lower:
- Cefpodoxime can be found in packs ranging from 10 to 50 tablets with approximate costs between $2.00 and $4.70 per day based on typical dosages between 100 to 400 mg/day.
- Cephalexin comes in various quantities starting from as low as packs of ten up to hundreds with prices ranging from about $.20 cents up to roughly $.50 cents per day when taking common doses such as two times daily at either250 or500 milligrams each administration.
These alternatives provide less costly options while still offering effective treatment against bacterial infections.
Popularity of Vantin and Keflex
Cefpodoxime, commonly known by the brand name Vantin, is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic and was estimated to have been prescribed to about 1 million people in the US in 2020. Cefpodoxime accounted for just over 2% of cephalosporin prescriptions in the US. As a broad-spectrum antibiotic, cefpodoxime has activity against a wide variety of bacteria and can be used for a range of infections including those of the skin, respiratory tract and urinary tract.
In comparison, cephalexin (Keflex) remains one of the most frequently prescribed first-generation cephalosporins with roughly 7 million prescriptions filled annually in America alone. In terms of overall usage among oral antibiotics available on prescription, it accounts for nearly 10%. It's primarily employed for treating common bacterial infections such as sinusitis or skin infections due to its effectiveness particularly against Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. The prevalence rate has remained relatively stable over recent years.
Conclusion
Both Vantin (cefpodoxime) and Keflex (cephalexin) have long-standing records of usage in patients with bacterial infections, and are backed by numerous clinical studies indicating that they are more effective than placebo treatments. They belong to the same family of antibiotics known as cephalosporins but differ in their generation classification. Vantin, a third-generation antibiotic, is often used to treat a wider range of bacteria including some resistant strains while Keflex, which is first-generation, covers fewer types.
In terms of prescription considerations, both drugs may be used alone or can sometimes be prescribed together for certain complex or severe cases; however this should always come under careful evaluation by a physician due to potential drug interactions. Both medications act by inhibiting cell wall synthesis in bacteria thereby causing cell death.
Vantin and Keflex are available in generic form offering substantial cost savings especially for those who must pay out-of-pocket. The duration it takes for these antibiotics to start showing effects may vary from patient-to-patient based on factors like severity and type of infection.
Side effect profiles between the two drugs are similar with common side effects being diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain amongst others; although generally well-tolerated some individuals might experience allergic reactions such as rash or difficulty breathing which require immediate medical attention. For both drugs patients must strictly adhere to dosage instructions throughout the course even if symptoms appear improved prematurely.
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Refrences
- Cardenas, J., Quinn, E. L., Rooker, G., Bavinger, J., & Pohlod, D. (1986, March). Single-dose cephalexin therapy for acute bacterial urinary tract infections and acute urethral syndrome with bladder bacteriuria. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. American Society for Microbiology.http://doi.org/10.1128/aac.29.3.383