Cefaclor Capsules 250mg

Cefaclor general information

What is Cefaclor used for?

Cefaclor tablets 250mg are a broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat common infections caused by a variety of bacteria in different parts of the body.  These include upper respiratory tract infections, such as sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis; lower respiratory tract infections such as, pneumonia and acute bronchitis, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; ear infections (otitis media).  Cefaclor tablets 250mg are also used for genitourinary tract infections like, cystitis and pyelonephritis (kidney infection); skin and soft tissue infections such as, furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle), pyoderma (pus filled skin infection) and impetigo (a blistering sore skin infection).  Cefaclor tablets 250mg are also used to treat genital infections including acute gonococcal urethritis in men and women.   

How does Cefaclor work?

Cefaclor tablets 250mg contain cefaclor monohydrate, a second generation cephalosporin antibiotic, belonging to a sub group of the beta lactam group of antibiotics (which include penicillins).  Cefaclor works by binding to the penicillin binding proteins on the bacterial cell wall. This inhibits the synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall, which is important for the structural integrity of the cell wall.  Blocking formation of the bacterial cell wall in susceptible bacteria kills the bacteria.  Unlike other beta lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephalosporins are less susceptible to destruction by beta-lactamase found in some resistant bacteria.  Cefaclor has good stability to bacterial beta-lactamase and is therefore, active against many ampicillin-resistant or amoxycillin-resistant strains.  Cefaclor in Cefaclor tablets 250mg is effective against a wide range of common bacteria found in general practice and in hospitals including: Streptococcus pyogenes and pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains and non-resistant strains); Haemophilus influenzae; Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli among others.   

What does Cefaclor contain?

Cefaclor tablets 250mg contains the active ingredient cefaclor monohydrate, a cephalosporin antibiotic belonging to a sub group of the beta lactam group of antibiotics, which is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections.  They also contain maize starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium and magnesium stearate, gelatine, ponceau 4R, carmoisine, brilliant blue, titanium dioxide, methyl paraben and propyl paraben.

Treating bacterial infection with Cefaclor

Cefaclor tablets 250mg contain cefaclor monohydrate, a second generation cephalosporin antibiotic, used to treat common infections caused by a variety of bacteria in different parts of the body.  These susceptible bacteria include Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (including penicillinase-producing strains and non-resistant strains); Haemophilus influenzae; Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli among others.  Cefaclor in Cefaclor tablets 250mg is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, such as sinusitis, tonsillitis and pharyngitis; lower respiratory tract infections such as, pneumonia and acute bronchitis, including acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; ear infections (otitis media).  Cefaclor tablets 250mg are also used for genitourinary tract infections like, cystitis and pyelonephritis (kidney infection); skin and soft tissue infections such as, furunculosis (infection of the hair follicle), pyoderma (pus filled skin infection) and impetigo (a blistering sore skin infection).  Cefaclor tablets 250mg are also used to treat genital infections including acute gonococcal urethritis in men and women. Cefaclor in Cefaclor tablets 250mg work by blocking formation of the bacterial cell wall in susceptible bacteria, which kills the bacteria.  Cefaclor in Cefaclor tablets 250mg is less susceptible than some penicillin like antibiotics to destruction by beta-lactamase found in some resistant bacteria and can therefore, be used against resistant bacterial strains. 

What are the side effects of Cefaclor?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Cefaclor include: gastrointestinal upset, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, skin rash, oral and genital thrush (candida), headache, dizziness.

When should Cefaclor not be used?

You should not use Cefaclor tablets 250mg if you:

• are allergic to or any other cephalosporin or beta-lactams antibiotic, including penicillins or any ingredients in Cefaclor
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease, without discussion with your doctor
• have a history of gastrointestinal disease particularly pseudomembranous colitis
• are taking medicines that interact with Cefaclor, including probenecid for gout, oral contraceptives, anticoagulants like warfarin, medications to reduce gastric acidity may lower bioavailability of cefaclor

What medications interact with Cefaclor?

Several medications interact with Cefaclor and should either not be taken while you are taking Cefaclor or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Cefaclor: probenecid for gout
• Drugs that affect Cefaclor: medications to reduce gastric acidity may lower bioavailability of cefaclor
• Drugs that are affected by Cefaclor: oral contraceptives, anticoagulants like warfarin

How should Cefaclor be taken?

You should take your Cefaclor tablets 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, and after food.  The dose you take and how often, depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, which is usually twice daily for an average of 7 days, but may be 5-10 days or longer, depending on your condition.  You should continue to take your Cefaclor tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return. 

How long should you take Cefaclor?

You should continue to take your Cefaclor tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor and always finish your course of tablets even if you feel better, if not, the infection may not clear up completely or your symptoms may return. 

Missed dose of Cefaclor

If you miss a dose of Cefaclor tablets 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Cefaclor be stored?

You should store your Cefaclor tablets 250mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.