Vantin is used for:

Treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.

Vantin is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the formation of the bacteria's cell wall so that the wall ruptures, resulting in the death of the bacteria.

Do NOT use Vantin if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Vantin or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin, cefprozil)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vantin :

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have diarrhea, a stomach or intestinal infection, or a blood clotting problem
if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness), to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vantin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), cyclosporine, or diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of side effects on the kidney may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vantin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vantin :

Use Vantin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Vantin with food.
Vantin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
To clear up your infection completely, continue using Vantin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
Vantin should not be given within 2 hours of antacids or H2 antagonists (eg, famotidine).
If you miss a dose of Vantin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose, and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vantin .

Important safety information:

If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occurs, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect that needs immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
Vantin is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
It is important to use Vantin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Vantin and it will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
Long-term, repeated, or improper use of Vantin may cause a second infection. You may need to start another medication to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell count, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Vantin during pregnancy. The medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Vantin .

Possible side effects of Vantin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; headache; loose stools; nausea; upset stomach; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; seizures; severe diarrhea; skin rash; stomach pain/cramps; vaginal irritation or discharge.