Cefpodoxime (Vantin and others)

How Medicare covers it

Part D (tablets and oral suspension taken/used at home). Part A during a covered inpatient stay. No Part B clinician-administered form in the CMS Part B spending file.

What it treats

Mild to moderate bacterial infections caused by susceptible bacteria: ear infections (acute otitis media), strep throat and tonsillitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, uncomplicated gonorrhea, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, acute sinus infections (maxillary sinusitis), and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (cystitis). It does not treat viral infections such as colds or flu.

What it is for, in depth

Cefpodoxime is an oral antibiotic a doctor prescribes for a short course when a bacterial infection needs treatment — for example pneumonia, a bacterial bronchitis flare-up, a sinus infection, a skin infection, an ear infection, strep throat, or a bladder infection. It belongs to the cephalosporin family, the same broad family as many hospital antibiotics, but it comes as a pill or liquid so it can be taken at home. The packaged CMS forms are 100 mg and 200 mg tablets and two oral suspensions (10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL). Treatment usually lasts 5 to 14 days depending on the infection, and it only works on bacteria — not on colds, flu, or other viruses.

How it works

Cefpodoxime is a cephalosporin antibiotic. The tablet form, cefpodoxime proxetil, is a prodrug — the body converts it during absorption into active cefpodoxime. Like other beta-lactam antibiotics, it kills bacteria by interfering with the building of the bacterial cell wall. MedlinePlus puts it plainly: it works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

How it is taken

Taken by mouth, usually every 12 hours; the tablets should be taken with food to improve absorption, while the suspension can be taken with or without food. The dose and length depend on the infection — for example 100 mg every 12 hours for 7 days for an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, 200 mg every 12 hours for 14 days for pneumonia, and up to 400 mg every 12 hours for 7 to 14 days for skin infections. People with severe kidney impairment take it every 24 hours instead. The full course should be finished as prescribed.

Common side effects

In multiple-dose trials, side effects occurring in more than 1% of patients were diarrhea (7%, and more common at higher doses), nausea (3.3%), vaginal fungal infections (1%), vulvovaginal infections (1.3%), abdominal pain (1.2%), and headache (1%). Less common effects included vomiting, indigestion, dry mouth, gas, dizziness, insomnia, rash, and itching.

Serious warnings

Severe allergic reactions are the key danger: before treatment, the label requires asking about prior allergy to cefpodoxime, other cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs, because cross-allergy among beta-lactam antibiotics can occur in up to 10% of people with penicillin allergy; a serious reaction needs emergency treatment and the drug must be stopped. Cefpodoxime, like nearly all antibiotics, can cause Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile-associated diarrhea, ranging from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis, which can appear even more than two months after the antibiotic is finished.

Who should be careful

Anyone with a known allergy to cefpodoxime or to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics must not take it, and people with penicillin allergy need caution because of possible cross-reaction. People with severe kidney impairment need longer dosing intervals, and people on hemodialysis dose three times a week after dialysis. MedlinePlus also notes cefpodoxime may lower the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, so another method may be needed while taking it.

Major interactions

Antacids in high doses (sodium bicarbonate and aluminum hydroxide) and H2 blockers lower cefpodoxime blood levels by roughly a quarter to two-fifths. Anticholinergic drugs such as propantheline delay absorption. Probenecid blocks kidney excretion and raises cefpodoxime levels (about 31% higher AUC). Kidney function should be watched closely when it is given with drugs that can harm the kidneys (nephrotoxic drugs).

Cost and saving notes

If this drug is covered under your Medicare Part D plan and the cost is high, you can ask your plan for a tier exception to pay a lower cost share. If you have limited income, Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) can lower your Part D premiums and drug costs. In 2027, your total yearly out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs is capped at $2,400, and you can spread those costs out in monthly payments through the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.

Why it is in its tier

Cefpodoxime (Vantin and others) sits on Tier 3 in 43.93% of the plans that list it (2414 of 5495 listing plans). Tier 3 is the preferred brand tier — mid-level copays or coinsurance. The data-visible drivers: It is a generic product, and the CMS dashboard puts its average Part D spending at about $58.76 per beneficiary for 2024 — a relatively low-cost drug, which matches where plans place it. It is listed by 100.0% of Part D plans. The tier shown is the most common one; individual plans vary.

Sources

• CEFPODOXIME PROXETIL TABLET, FILM COATED [ASCEND LABORATORIES, LLC] — DailyMed
• MedlinePlus — National Library of Medicine
• MedlinePlus — Cefpodoxime

What official patient guides say

Cefpodoxime comes as a tablet and as a suspension, or liquid, to take by mouth. It is taken every 12 to 24 hours, at around the same times every day. Take the tablet with food, and take the suspension with or without food. Shake the suspension well before each use so it mixes evenly. Take it exactly as directed, and continue until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop too soon or skip doses, the infection may not be completely treated. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. Store the tablets in their container, tightly closed, at room temperature away from light, excess heat, and moisture, not in the bathroom. Keep the liquid in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and dispose of unused liquid after 14 days. Keep medication out of reach of children.

Source: MedlinePlus — Cefpodoxime

Part D formulary coverage

Source: CMS Prescription Drug Plan Formulary, Pharmacy Network, and Pricing Information Files — Monthly file 2026-10-15 (plan year 2027), file 2027_20261008.zip (data.cms.gov dataset ed1496ea-23e7-41f1-9292-172fa842ccfb): basic drugs formulary file + plan information file, both dated 20261031 inside the zip; downloaded and aggregated 2026-10-30. Medication RxCUI sets resolved through the NLM RxNav (RxNorm) API.

What you pay

Without insurance, the cash benchmark is $1.0668 per unit (CEFPODOXIME 100 MG TABLET) — about $32.00 for 30 units. NADAC benchmark — the average price pharmacies pay (CMS, as of 2026-11-04). Pharmacy shelf prices vary.

A tier is not a price; what you pay depends on your plan, pharmacy, and benefit stage; Extra Help or Medicaid can lower it further.

Sources: CMS Plan Benefit Package + formulary data; CMS NADAC · Checked 2026-11-07

Similar medications

Other medications in the same FDA pharmacologic class (Cephalosporin Antibacterial):

• Cefaclor
• Cefadroxil (Duricef and others)
• Cefazolin sodium injection
• Cefdinir (Omnicef and others)
• Cefepime injection (Maxipime and others)
• Cefixime (Suprax and others)
• Cefotetan
• Cefoxitin
• Ceftaroline fosamil (Teflaro)
• Ceftazidime (Tazicef, Fortaz)
• Ceftazidime / avibactam (Avycaz)
• Ceftobiprole Medocaril (Zevtera)

Read next

• Part D in 2027: The $700 Deductible, the $2,400 Cap, and the $35 Insulin Rule
• Extra Help in 2027: Lower Drug Copays and Who Qualifies
• Checking Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help

Part D spending averages (2024)

Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (Drug Spending Dashboard), release RY26 P04 V10, data through 2024 (DSD_PTD_RY26_P04_V10_DY24_BGM.csv), downloaded 2026-10-30

Companies covering this drug

5,495 plans from 509 companies list this drug on a formulary for 2027. Search by company or plan name, or filter by tier. Cost sharing is the plan's published amount for this drug's tier in the initial coverage stage (1-month retail supply), where the plan publishes it; a blank means the plan does not publish it.

A tier is not a price; what you pay depends on your plan, pharmacy, and benefit stage; Extra Help or Medicaid can lower it further.