Name Cephradine
Classes Antiinfective Agent
Antibiotic
Cephalosporine
Diseases Bronchitis
Gonorrhea
Infectious Disease
Meningitis
Otitis
Pneumonia
Sinusitis
Tonsillitis
Urethritis

English

Cephradine

Cephradine is a first generation cephalosporin belonging to a class of antibiotics called the beta lactams. It kills bacteria by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Cephradine is indicated for the following infections-

  • Upper respiratory tract infections - sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngo-tracheo bronchitis and otitis media.
  • Lower respiratory tract infections - acute and chronic bronchitis, lobar and bronchopneumonia.
  • Urinary tract infections - cystitis, urethritis and pyelonephritis.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections - impetigo, abscess, cellulitis, furunculosis.

 

Cephradine is available as capsules, powder for suspension and pediatric drops.

Adults:

  • Infections of the respiratory tract and skin and soft tissue - the usual dose is 250mg or 500mg four times a day, or 500mg or 1g twice a day, depending on the severity and location of the illness.
  • The standard dose for urinary tract infections is 500mg four times a day or 1g twice a day. For severe or chronic infections, this may need to be increased. Complications including prostatitis and epididymitis require long-term intense treatment,

Pediatric patients:
The typical dose is 25 to 50 mg/kg/day, divided into two or four equal doses. Daily doses of 75 to 100mg/kg in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours are indicated for otitis media. The maximum daily dose is 4g.

How to reconstitute powder for suspension:

How to administer paediatric drops:
  • Dosage adjustment is required for renally impaired patients.

Side effects associated with the use of cephradine are-

  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Anemia
  • Pseudomembranous colitis
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Liver problems
  • Nausea
  • Although very rare, Hypersensitivity reactions may occur in some patients.
  • Prolonged use of Cephradine may cause the overgrowth of resistant organisms like Candida sp. and Clostridium difficile. 
  • Patient might experience Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea with prolonged use of cephalexin.
  • Taking alcohol while on treatment with cephradine can cause disulfiram like reaction.
  • Patients with renal impairment may require dosage adjustment.

Contraindication

Contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any beta lactam antibiotics such as-