cephradine

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Pronunciation: SEF ra deen

Brand: Velosef

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 Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.

Before using cephradine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have kidney disease, diabetes, or a history of intestinal problems.

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 is cephradine?

Cephradine is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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 (Raniclor);
  • cefadroxil (Duricef);
  • cefazolin (Ancef);
  • cefdinir (Omnicef);
  • cefditoren (Spectracef);
  • cefpodoxime (Vantin);
  • cefprozil (Cefzil);
  • ceftibuten (Cedax);
  • cefuroxime (Ceftin); or
  • cephalexin (Keflex).

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

  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
  • diabetes; or
  • a history of intestinal problems, such as colitis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take cephradine.

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 or milk may ease side effects on your stomach.

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.

What are the possible side effects of cephradine?

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;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • tightness in your chest;
  • unusual bleeding;
  • seizure (convulsions);
  • pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
  • increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, mild diarrhea;
  • stiff or tight muscles;
  • joint pain;
  • dizziness;
  • feeling restless or hyperactive;
  • unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
  • mild itching or skin rash; or
  • vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect cephradine?

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

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

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cephradine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cephradine.

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.

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