CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15/CDRT.iso/dp/0306/03068.txt

Text File | 1994-01-18 | 6.0 KB | 139 lines

$Unique_ID{BRK03068}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{cefaclor}
$Subject{Ceclor Lilly Cephalosporin antibiotic cefaclor variety bacterial
infections middle ear skin upper lower respiratory tract urinary injuring cell
walls bacteria}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Ceclor 250 mg*0306801.scf
Ceclor 500 mg*0306802.scf}

Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.


cefaclor
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)

     Ceclor (Lilly)

TYPE OF DRUG

     Cephalosporin antibiotic

INGREDIENT

     cefaclor

DOSAGE FORMS

     Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Oral suspension (125 mg, 187 mg, 250 mg, and 375 mg per 5-ml spoonful)

STORAGE

     Cefaclor capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
closed container.  The oral suspension form of this drug should be stored in
the refrigerator in a tightly closed container.  Any unused portion of the
oral suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its
potency after that time.  This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     This medication is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections,
including those of the middle ear, skin, upper and lower respiratory tract,
and urinary tract.  This drug acts by severely injuring the cell walls of the
infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them from growing and multiplying.
Cefaclor kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses,
parasites, or fungi.

TREATMENT

     Cefaclor can be taken either on an empty stomach or with food or milk (in
order to avoid an upset stomach).
     The contents of the suspension form of cefaclor tend to settle on the
bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container well to
distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.  Each dose should
then be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon or
with the dropper provided.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate
enough.
     Cephalosporin antibiotics work best when the level of medicine in your
bloodstream is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at
evenly spaced intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take three
doses a day, the doses should be spaced eight hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
If you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for
your next dose, take it; space the following dose halfway through the regular
interval between doses; then return to your regular dosing schedule.  Try not
to skip any doses.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms
disappear before the end of that period.  If you stop taking this drug too
soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the
infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, loss
of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your
body adjusts to the medication.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever, itching, joint pain, rash,
rectal or vaginal itching, severe diarrhea (which can be watery or can contain
pus or blood), sore mouth, stomach cramps, tingling in the hands or feet, or
unusual bleeding or bruising.  Also, if symptoms of infection seem to be
getting worse rather than improving, contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     Cefaclor interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of
this medication.
     2. The side effects, especially effects on the kidneys, of furosemide,
bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, colistin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, and
aminoglycoside antibiotics can be increased by cefaclor.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medication, especially to cefaclor or other cephalosporin antibiotics
(such as cefamandole, cephalexin, cephradine, cefadroxil, cefazolin,
cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, cephalothin, cephapirin, cefuroxime,
and moxalactam) or to penicillin antibiotics.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medication to other people or
use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do
so.
     * Diabetics who are taking cefaclor should know that this medication can
cause a false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test.  To
avoid this problem while taking cefaclor, you should switch to Clinistix or
Tes-Tape to test your urine sugar content.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although the
cephalosporin antibiotics appear to be safe during pregnancy, extensive
studies in humans have not been conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication pass into breast
milk and may temporarily alter the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract
of the nursing infant, resulting in diarrhea.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.