Cefaclor is a cephalosporin antibiotic prescribed for treatment of ear infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, urinary tract and skin infections.

Common use

Cefaclor belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotic, it is a semi-synthetic of the II generation. It acts inhibiting bacterial cell wall formation and acts against to wide spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria resistant to beta-lactamases such as E. coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella spp., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Citrobacter spp.), Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. Cefaclor is not active against anaerobic organisms. The medicine is indicated for treatment of bacterial infections of upper and low respiratory tract, ENT organs, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, bones, joints, endometritis, sepsis.



Dosage and direction

Take Cefaclor with meals or at least within one hour before eating to improve its absorption. Swallow the tablet whole, do not cut, crush, or chew it. Common dose of Cefaclor is 250-500 mg every eight hours or 375-500 mg every twelve hours. To treat gonorrhea take 3,000 mg of the medication at once. Treatment continues 7-10 days. Follow all recommendations of your doctor and do not exceed the recommended dose.



Precautions

Do not stop taking the medication even if you find that your symptoms has improved. If you are breastfeeding and plan to be treated with Cefaclor, stop to feed your baby with your breast milk. This medication may cause false positive results in the direct Combs test and the glucose urine test. Inform your doctor if you have allergy to penicillin antibiotics. Risk of side effects increases in patients with gastrointestinal problems such as bowel inflammation (colitis) and thus certain cautiousness should be exercised in their treatment.



Contraindications

Cefaclor cannot be administered in patients with hypersensitivity to the medication and other beta-lactam antibiotics. Cautiousness is needed when the medication is administered in patients with chronic kidney failure, leukopenia, hemorrhagic syndrome, pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under one year of age.



Possible side effect

Cefaclor is generally well tolerated. Side effects if occur are usually transient. The most common adverse reactions are: rash, fever, joint pain, vaginitis, itching, abnormal liver tests, jaundice, nervousness, insomnia, and hallucinations. Treatment with antibiotics changes composition of microorganisms in the colon and permit overgrowth of C. difficile. As a consequence pseudomembranous colitis may develop. Its symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and shock in rare cases.



Drug interaction

Cefaclor increases effects of indirect anticoagulants. Nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides, phenylbutazone, polymyxin is increased by Cefaclor reciprocally. Aminoglycosides, metronidazole, polymyxins, rifampicin increase antibacterial effect of Cefaclor while chloramphenicole and tetracyclines decrease it. Mg2+ antacides and Al3+ slow down absorption of this medication. Blockers of the channel secretion retard excretion of Cefaclor by kidneys. Inform your doctor if you are taking potent diuretics such as ethacrynic acid and furosemide, Probenecid or warfarin.



Missed dose

If you missed a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it almost time of your next dose just skip it and return to your regular schedule. Never double dose this medication.



Overdose

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset are symptoms of overdose. Contact your doctor immediately in case of a suspected overdose.



Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture, sunlight, kids and pets in a tight container.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.