The physicochemical variables and interaction forces for the association of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide + cefixime trihydrate mixture in aq. short chain alcohols and urea media at different temperatures

•The interactions between dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and cefixime trihydrate are explored.•Single cmc values are achieved for drug + surfactant mixed system.•Effect of short chain alcohols and urea on the association of drug + surfactant mixture is illustrated.•The association of drug + surfactant mixture is obtained to be spontaneous.•The proposed interaction forces between drug and surfactant are ion–dipole and hydrophobic interactions.