# Cefixime: veterinary dose and monograph

> Cefixime is a veterinary antibiotic. An ORAL third-generation cephalosporin — a convenient oral option for Gram-negative infections (notably resistant UTIs, soft-tissue and some respiratory infections) when an injectable third-generation drug is not needed. Indications include resistant / complicated urinary tract infection (oral); susceptible Gram-negative soft-tissue and respiratory infections; step-down oral therapy after parenteral cephalosporins. This monograph lists 2 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefixime · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Antibiotic
- **Also known as:** Taxim-O, Zifi, Cefolac, Suprax
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **General dose range:** 5–12.5 mg/kg PO q12–24h — check the species tables for the indication
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Resistant / complicated urinary tract infection (oral)
- Susceptible Gram-negative soft-tissue and respiratory infections
- Step-down oral therapy after parenteral cephalosporins
- Gram-negative infections where oral dosing is preferred

## Cefixime dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Cefixime doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Susceptible Gram-negative / UTI | 5–12.5 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h | — |

- Susceptible Gram-negative / UTI: Papich 5e: 10 mg/kg q12h PO; UTI 5 mg/kg q12–24h. Plumb’s p.214: UTI 5 mg/kg once or twice daily for 7–14 days; respiratory/systemic 12.5 mg/kg q12h (Greene); endocarditis 10 mg/kg q12h (DeFrancesco).

### Cats

*Cefixime doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Susceptible Gram-negative infection | 5–12.5 mg/kg | PO | q12h | — |

- Susceptible Gram-negative infection: Papich 5e: dogs and cats 10 mg/kg q12h PO; UTI 5 mg/kg q12–24h. Plumb’s p.214 (Lappin 2002): cats 5–12.5 mg/kg PO q12h.

## Contraindications

Beta-lactam (penicillin/cephalosporin) hypersensitivity. Reduce dose in significant renal impairment. Not ideal for staphylococcal pyoderma (weak Gram-positive cover). Routine first-line empiric use (stewardship). Known hypersensitivity.

## Adverse effects

- GI upset (vomiting, diarrhoea) — give with food
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea / dysbiosis
- Rare: raised liver enzymes

## Drug interactions

- Aminoglycosides: additive nephrotoxicity (and synergy vs some Gram-negatives)
- Probenecid: prolongs half-life
- Bacteriostatic agents: possible antagonism
- Antacids/H2-blockers: minor reduction in absorption

## Pregnancy and lactation

Cephalosporins are generally considered safe in pregnancy/lactation.

## Monitoring

- Culture & sensitivity (confirm a susceptible Gram-negative) and clinical response
- GI tolerance
- Renal function in renal patients

## Toxicity and overdose

Wide margin — acute toxicity essentially limited to GI upset and hypersensitivity. Accumulates in renal impairment. Overuse drives third-generation cephalosporin (ESBL) resistance — the main ecological concern.

Management: Supportive; no specific antidote. Treat hypersensitivity conventionally; fluids and dose reduction in renal impairment.

## Clinical pearls

- A handy ORAL third-generation cephalosporin for resistant Gram-negative UTIs — but weak against Staph, so not for pyoderma
- Useful step-down from injectable cephalosporins to finish a course orally
- Cheap and ubiquitous in India (Taxim-O/Zifi) — reserve it (culture-driven) to slow ESBL resistance
- Give with food to reduce GI upset; reduce dose in renal impairment

## Mechanism of action

Beta-lactam that binds penicillin-binding proteins to inhibit bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan cross-linking — bactericidal, time-dependent. As an oral third-generation cephalosporin it is stable against many Gram-negative beta-lactamases and penetrates the Gram-negative outer membrane well, giving strong Gram-negative activity with comparatively limited Gram-positive (especially staphylococcal) reach.

## Formulations and products

- 50 mg tablet/DT
- 100 / 200 mg tablet
- Oral suspension 20 mg/mL (100 mg/5 mL)
- Taxim-O — 50 / 100 / 200 mg tablet; 100 mg/5 mL suspension, Tablet / suspension (human-label)
- Zifi — 50 / 100 / 200 mg tablet; suspension, Tablet / suspension (human-label)

## Storage

Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry. Reconstituted suspension: per label (often refrigerated; discard after ~10–14 days), shake well.

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

## Other antibiotics

- [Apramycin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/apramycin)
- [Azithromycin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/azithromycin)
- [Cefadroxil](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefadroxil)
- [Cefazolin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefazolin)
- [Cefoperazone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefoperazone)
- [Cefotaxime](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefotaxime)
- [Cefovecin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefovecin)
- [Cefpodoxime proxetil](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefpodoxime)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Cefixime for dogs?

Reference doses for Cefixime in dogs: 5–12.5 mg/kg PO q12–24h (Susceptible Gram-negative / UTI). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Cefixime for cats?

Reference doses for Cefixime in cats: 5–12.5 mg/kg PO q12h (Susceptible Gram-negative infection). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Cefixime not be used?

Beta-lactam (penicillin/cephalosporin) hypersensitivity. Reduce dose in significant renal impairment. Not ideal for staphylococcal pyoderma (weak Gram-positive cover). Routine first-line empiric use (stewardship). Known hypersensitivity.

### What are the side effects of Cefixime in animals?

GI upset (vomiting, diarrhoea) — give with food; Hypersensitivity reactions; Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea / dysbiosis; Rare: raised liver enzymes.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

---

VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.