Cephradine

Question 1

Drug class?

Answer 1

Cephalosporin

Question 2

How does it work?

Answer 2

Cefradine is an antibiotic agent with a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is also highly active against most strains of penicillinase-producing Staphylococci.

Question 3

Indications?

Answer 3

• Bacterial infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and of the skin and soft tissues.
• 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

Question 4

Contra-indications?

Answer 4

Cephalosporin hypersensitivity.

Question 5

Side-effects?

Answer 5

Undesirable effects are uncommon and mainly mild in nature. They are limited essentially to gastrointestinal disturbances and on occasion to hypersensitivity phenomena.

Question 6

Possible interactions?

Answer 6

• Loop diuretics may increase nephrotoxicity of cephalosporins.
• Probenecid has been seen to raise serum concentrations of cefradine, by reducing renal clearance of the cephalosporins.