Drugs

Cephradine (Cefradine) : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects

By Dr Daya

Posted on May 12, 2017

Cephradine : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Cephradine (Cefradine) is an first generation cephalosporin. It is almost identical to cephalexin, but less active against some organisms. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.
Dose : 0.25-1 g 6-12 hourly oral/i.m/i.v.
Route : Oral, IM, IV
Onset of action : ?
Plasma Half-life : 0.9 hours
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : Well absorbed
Plasma protein binding : <10%
Metabolism : Nil
Pregnancy risk category : ?
Chemical formula : C₁₆H₁₉N₃O₄S
IUPAC name : (6R,7R)-7-{[(2R)-2-amino-2-(1-cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl)acetyl]amino}-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid
Trade name : Ceflad, Intracef, Velocef, Cefradune, Tricef, Eurosefro, Incef, Cefril A, Cefalmin, Cefradur, Tafril, Sinaceph, Sinaceph
Antibacterial spectrum : The first-generation cephalosporins are resistant to the staphylococcal penicillinase (that is, they cover MSSA) and also have activity against Proteus mirabilis, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae.
Therapeutic uses : Cephradine has following uses :

Used as alternatives to PnG; particularly in allergic patients (but not who had anaphylactic reaction).
Used to treat Penicillinase producing staphylococcal infections.
Used to treat Respiratory tract infections (such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, lobar pneumonia) caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and S. pneumoniae.
Used to treat Otitis media caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and staphylococci.
Used to treat Skin and skin structure infections caused by staphylococci (penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant) and beta-hemolytic streptococci.
Used to treat Urinary tract infections, including prostatitis, caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis and Klebsiella species.

Mechanism of action : Cephalosporins cause inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. i.e. they have the same mechanism of action as penicillin. However, they bind to different proteins than those which bind penicillins.
Side effects : Cephalosporins are generally well tolerated, but are more toxic than penicillin. Cephradine may exhibit following side effects :

Hypersensitivity reactions caused by cephalosporins are similar to penicillin, but incidence is lower. Rashes are the most frequent manifestation, but anaphylaxis, angioedema, asthma and urticaria have also occurred.
Diarrhoea.

Drug Interactions : Cefadroxil may interact with following drugs :