Cefixime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. Unlike most third-generation cephalosporins — which are injections given in hospital — cefixime is taken by mouth, which has made it a popular step-up antibiotic in Nigerian outpatient care, especially for typhoid fever. It works by disrupting the bacterial cell wall, and its strength is broad activity against gram-negative bacteria including Salmonella typhi (the cause of typhoid), many E. coli, and Haemophilus influenzae.
In the NAFDAC register
95 registered products
from 49 registration holders
What it costs online
Our sampling found 4 listings (August 2026) — every one of them Ocefix, listed at ₦4,100–₦7,730. That is Ocefix's price, not the molecule's — one brand's price cannot honestly stand for a molecule the register lists under many, so no market-wide figure is shown.
Brands of Cefixime in Nigeria
Comes as
- Tablet400 mg· 19 makers200 mg· 9 makers
- Powder for suspension100 mg/5 mL· 4 makers
- Capsule400 mg· 3 makers
In combinations: Cefixime + Clavulanic Acid
Those 95 products from 49 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cika Cefixime 400 | Michelle Laboratories Limited | 400mg | Tablet | A11-100186 |
| Cefirat | Nemel Pharmaceuticals Limited | 200mg | Dispersible tablet | A11-0133 |
| Brodcef 200 | Sam Pharmaceutical Limited | 200mg | Tablet | A4-5062 |
| Brodcef 400 | Sam Pharmaceutical Limited | 400mg | Tablet | A4-5106 |
| Celicet | Maydon Pharmaceuticals Limited | 200mg | Tablet | B4-6916 |
Cefixime Price in Nigeria
Cefixime prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Cefixime is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack — for example, Cika Cefixime 400 (Michelle Laboratories) carries A11-100186 in our copy of the register.
- 2Confirm any cefixime brand's number with our NAFDAC checker before paying.
- 3Buy from a registered pharmacy; antibiotics from open markets carry a higher counterfeit and storage risk.
- 4Inspect the pack for a clear batch number and expiry date, and for print or spelling defects.
- 5A locally made, NAFDAC-registered cefixime verified through the register is a sound choice — several Nigerian manufacturers hold active registrations.
Where to Buy
Buying Cefixime by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Cefixime on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Cefixime in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Cefixime in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Cefixime?
In Nigeria cefixime comes as 100mg, 200mg and 400mg tablets and dispersible tablets, and as a 100mg/5ml suspension for children. It is often prescribed when ciprofloxacin has failed or when a clinician suspects a resistant strain of typhoid — a real and growing problem across West Africa. Our copy of the NAFDAC register lists dozens of active cefixime registrations, and a healthy share are now made in Nigeria rather than imported, which tends to keep prices more competitive than premium imported cephalosporins.
Cefixime is in the WHO 'Watch' category. Its convenience — a strong, once- or twice-daily oral antibiotic — is exactly why it is over-used, and every unnecessary course makes resistant typhoid more likely. It should be used on the basis of a proper diagnosis, not bought over the counter for any fever.
What is Cefixime used for?
In Nigeria, Cefixime is commonly used for:
- Typhoid fever — a major reason for cefixime use in Nigeria, including cases resistant to ciprofloxacin
- Urinary tract infections
- Otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis and tonsillitis
- Acute bronchitis and other chest infections
- Uncomplicated gonorrhoea (only within a doctor-directed regimen, as resistance is rising)
- Step-down oral therapy after an initial course of injectable ceftriaxone in some infections
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The usual adult dose is 200mg twice daily or 400mg once daily. For typhoid fever, clinicians commonly prescribe 400mg per day (as 200mg twice daily) for 7 to 14 days, sometimes paired with azithromycin. For uncomplicated urinary infections a shorter course may suffice. Cefixime can be taken with or without food, though taking it with food can reduce stomach upset. Complete the full course.
Children
Children are dosed by weight, usually 8mg per kg per day, either once daily or split into two doses, given as the 100mg/5ml suspension. For a typical child this works out to roughly 100mg to 200mg per day. Shake the suspension well and measure with a proper syringe or measuring spoon, never a kitchen spoon. The exact dose should be confirmed by a doctor or pharmacist against the child's weight.
Elderly
Older adults generally tolerate cefixime well. As with all cephalosporins, the dose is reduced when kidney function is significantly impaired, which is more common with age.
Cefixime does not treat malaria, which remains the commonest cause of fever in Nigeria — a fever should be tested, not assumed to be typhoid. The Widal test alone is notoriously unreliable for diagnosing typhoid; ask for a blood culture where it is available. If there is no improvement after 48–72 hours, return to the clinic rather than switching antibiotics yourself.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Diarrhoea — the most frequent side effect, sometimes marked
- •Nausea and abdominal pain
- •Headache and dizziness
- •Skin rash
- •Flatulence and indigestion
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe allergic reactions (facial swelling, breathing difficulty, widespread rash) — possible in people allergic to penicillins or other cephalosporins
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea — severe, persistent or bloody diarrhoea
- Severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) — rare
- Liver enzyme disturbance and, rarely, jaundice
- Kidney inflammation and blood-count abnormalities — rare
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent care for signs of a serious allergic reaction — swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, difficulty breathing. See a doctor promptly for severe or bloody diarrhoea (do not just take an anti-diarrhoeal), yellowing of the eyes or skin, or a blistering rash. Tell the prescriber about any previous reaction to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Cefixime if you have:
- Known allergy to cefixime or any cephalosporin antibiotic
- History of severe, immediate penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis) — seek an alternative
- Previous severe skin reaction to a beta-lactam antibiotic
Drug interactions
- •Warfarin — cefixime can raise the INR and bleeding risk; monitor closely
- •Carbamazepine — cefixime can increase carbamazepine levels
- •Probenecid — raises and prolongs cefixime blood levels
- •Other nephrotoxic drugs (e.g. aminoglycosides) — combined kidney strain
- •Live oral typhoid vaccine — separate by at least 72 hours, as the antibiotic blunts the vaccine
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Cefixime has no clear evidence of harm in pregnancy and cephalosporins as a class are generally regarded as acceptable when an antibiotic is needed — always on medical advice. Small amounts may enter breast milk; breastfeeding is usually continued while watching the infant for loose stools or thrush. Discuss with your doctor.
Related Resources for Cefixime
Guides, articles, and tools related to Cefixime and other antibiotics medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Cefixime on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Cefixime.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.