Side Effects:

Common Nausea, Diarrhoea, Allergic reaction.

Expert advice for Diclonac Gel

Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, angina, blood clots, and high blood pressure, raised cholesterol or raised triglycerides, liver disorder of the red blood pigment (porphyria).
Tell your doctor if you had or need to have surgery.
Avoid direct contact of gel/ lotion with your eyes. In case of direct contact, wash your eyes with water immediately and seek immediate medical attention.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. 
Do not use if you are allergic to diclofenac or any of its ingredients.
Do not use if you previously had allergic reaction (asthma, hives or a cold) due to aspirin or other pain killers.

Expert advice for Stefi Tablet
Your doctor has prescribed Stefi to cure your infection and improve symptoms. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Discontinue Stefi and inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or have difficulty in breathing. Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools. If you're on blood thinners, Stefi can interact with your medications and increase your bleeding tendencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is diclofenac topical a blood thinner / controlled substance?
Diclofenac is a pain relieving medication and it does not significantly affect the function of platelets in blood; hence it is not a blood thinner. It is not a controlled substance as it does not have the potential for abuse or addiction.

Q. What is Stefi and what is it used for?
Stefi is a cephalosporin antibiotic used for treating many infections, for eg: infections of the ear, throat (e.g. tonsillitis, pharyngitis), chest and lungs (e.g. bronchitis, pneumonia) and urinary tract (e.g. cystitis and kidney infections).

Q. Is Stefi used for diarrhea?
Stefi has not been indicated for the treatment of diarrhea. Please talk to your doctor if you have diarrhea before taking any antibiotics.

Q. Is Stefi a cephalosporin?
Yes, Stefi belongs to a group of antibiotics called 'cephalosporins'.

Q. Is Stefi safe for infants?
Safety of Stefi in children less than 6 months of age (includes premature and newborn infants) has not been established. Please consult your doctor before starting any antibiotics in children.

Q. Is Stefi a penicillin?
Stefi is not a penicillin. It belongs to a different class of medicines known as cephalosporin and it works in a similar way as penicillins. However, they are different antibiotics. Please consult your doctor regarding their use.

Q. Does Stefi cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common side effect of Stefi. Diarrhea has been more commonly associated with higher doses. Stop the medicine if you have severe watery diarrhea that will not stop and you are feeling weak and have a fever. immediately consult your doctor.

Q. Does Stefi cause constipation?
Constipation has not been reported as a side effect with Stefi. Please consult your doctor in case you experience constipation while taking Stefi.

Q. Does Stefi cure chlamydia?
Stefi is not effective against chlamydia infections, so, it is not used for its treatment. Please consult your doctor if you have been diagnosed with a chlamydial infection.

Q. Does Stefi contain penicillin?
Stefi is a cephalosporin which has an action similar to penicillins but it does not contain any penicillin.

Q. Does Stefi cover pseudomonas?
No, Stefi is not active against pseudomonas. Most strains of pseudomonas are resistant to Stefi. Please consult your doctor if you have pseudomonas infections for the appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Q. Does Stefi contain sulfur?
No, Stefi does not contain sulfur. Please check the package leaflet (patient information leaflet) before using any medicine for its contents.

Q. Does Stefi cure syphilis?
Stefi is not active against the bacteria (Treponema pallidum) which causes syphilis. So, it is not used for the treatment of syphilis. Please consult your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of syphilis.

Q. Does Stefi cure gonorrhea?
Stefi can be used to treat uncomplicated gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (both penicillinase and non-penicillinase producing bacteria). However, always talk to your doctor if you have any infection as it should be diagnosed properly by a doctor before the start of antibiotics. Never take antibiotics yourself.

Q. Does Stefi treat typhoid?
Stefi is not indicated for the treatment of typhoid by the government regulatory authorities. However, Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommend the use of Stefi in children for uncomplicated typhoid fever. It is hence, advisable that you must take the antibiotics for typhoid fever only when it is recommended by your doctor. Do not take antibiotics yourself.

Q. Does Stefi affect birth control?
There is no evidence of cefexime affecting birth control (contraception). However, interactions may occur and Stefi may affect the action of birth control pills. Please consult your doctor to confirm whether you require a extra birth control measure while taking Stefi.

Q. Can I take Stefi with azithromycin?
No interactions have been clinically observed between Stefi and azithromycin. However, interactions may occur. Always consult with your doctor before taking two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Stefi and doxycycline together?
No interactions have been clinically observed between Stefi and doxycycline. However, interactions may occur. Always consult with your doctor before taking two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Stefi with paracetamol?
No interactions have been clinically observed between Stefi and paracetamol. However, interactions may occur. Always consult with your doctor before taking two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Stefi with folic acid?
Folic acid can be taken with Stefi as no drug-drug interactions have been clinically observed between them. However, interactions may occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.