cephradine

Generic Name: cephradine (SEF ra deen)
Brand names: Velosef

What is cephradine?

Cephradine is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. Cephradine fights bacteria in the body.

Cephradine is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.

Cephradine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about cephradine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cephradine, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.

Before using this cephradine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, or a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cephradine is usually given for up to 3 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Very severe infections may need to be treated for several weeks. Cephradine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cephradine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cephradine, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

cefaclor (Ceclor);
cefadroxil (Duricef);
cefdinir (Omnicef);
cefditoren (Spectracef);
cefixime (Suprax);
cefprozil (Cefzil);
ceftazidime (Fortaz); or
cefuroxime (Ceftin).

Before using this cephradine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

kidney disease;
liver disease;
diabetes; or
a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use cephradine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cephradine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take cephradine?

Take the medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Take cephradine with a full glass of water.

You may take cephradine with or without food. Taking the medicine with food may ease side effects on your stomach.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cephradine is usually given for up to 3 days after lab tests show that the infection has cleared. Very severe infections may need to be treated for several weeks. Cephradine will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cephradine.

Store cephradine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking cephradine?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Cephradine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
tightness in your chest;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
dizziness;
mild skin rash or itching;
joint pain; or
vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect cephradine?

Before using cephradine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix);
an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo-Fradin, Neo-Tab), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi), or vancomycin;
probenecid (Benemid).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use cephradine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect cephradine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has information about cephradine written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.