Cephradine is a semisynthetic broad spectrum bactericidal antibiotic, it is active against infections caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. Both penicillinase producing and nonproducing staphylococci are sensitive to Cephradine. The main site of action of Cephradine is the cell wall of bacteria. Cell wall of sensitive organism contains peptidoglycan. Cephradine inhibits cross-linking process and as a result cell wall with many pores are formed, thus lysis of bacteria occur due to external osmotic pressure.

Cephradine is indicated for the treatment of infections caused by sensitive Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These include-

• Undesirable Upper respiratory tract infections: sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngo-tracheo bronchitis and otitis media, and also
• Lower respiratory tract infections: bronchitis (acute and chronic), lobar pneumonia and bronchopneumonia.
• Urinary tract infections: cystitis, urethritis and pyelonephritis.
• Skin and soft tissue infections: abscess, cellulitis, furunculosis and impetigo.

The following microorganisms are susceptible, in vitro to Cephradine:

• Gram-positive: Staphylococci (both penicillin sensitive and resistant strains and penicillinase-producing species), Streptococci, Streptococci pyogenes (beta haemolytic), Streptococcus pneumonia.
• Gram-negative: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenza, Shigella spp, Salmonella spp (including Salmonella typhi), Neisseria spp Many strains of E.coli and Staphylococcus aureus that produce the enzyme penicillinase and thus are ampicillin resistant, are susceptible to Cephradine which is unaffected by this enzyme.

For oral administration-

Adults:

• Urinary tract infections: 500mg four times daily or 1g twice daily. Infections which are severe or chronic may necessitate the administration of higher doses. Where complications arise including prostatitis and epididymitis continued intensive treatment is required.
• Respiratory tract infections: 250 to 500mg four times daily or 500mg to 1g twice daily, dependent on the site and severity of the infection.
• Skin and soft tissue infections: 250 to 500mg four times daily or 500mg to 1g twice daily, again dependent on the site and severity of the infection.

Children:

• Total daily dose of 25 to 50mg/kg given in two or four equally divided doses.
• Otitis media: Total daily dose of 75 to 100mg/kg given in divided doses 6 to 12 hourly.
• Maximum daily dosage: 4 gm

Elderly: The normal adult dose is appropriate. Patients with impaired renal or hepatic function should be monitored during treatment.

For injectable administration-

• Adult: The usual dose is 2-4 gm daily in four equally divided doses up to 8 gm daily. For prophylaxis a single preoperative dose of 1-2 gm intramuscularly or intravenously is given.
• Children: The dose is 50-100 mg/kg daily in four equally divided doses, up to 300 mg/kg daily in severe infection.

Cephradine should not be used in patients with known or suspected hypersensitivity to cephalosporins.

Limited essentially to gastro-intestinal disturbances and on occasions to hypersensitivity phenomena. The latter are more likely to occur in individuals, who have previously demonstrated hypersensitivity and thos with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever or urticaria. Skin reactions have occasionally been reported. Rare- Glossitis, heartburn, dizziness, tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vaginitis, candida overgrowth. Skin and hypersensitivity reactions include urticaria, skin rashes, joint pains, oedema.

• Blood and lymphatic system disorders- Unknown: blood disorders (including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia)
• Immune system disorders- Unknown: Fever, serum sickness like reactions, anaphylaxis
• Psychiatric disorders- Unknown: Confusion, sleep disturbances
• Nervous system disorders- Unknown: hyperactivity, hypertonia, dizziness, nervousness; Rarely: Headache
• Hepatobiliary disorders- Frequency unknown: Liver, enzyme disturbances, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice
• Renal and urinary disorders- Unknown: Reversible interstitial nephritis
• Investigations- Unknown: Elevation of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase.

Overdose Effects

The symptoms of Sefrad overdose are non-specific and are generally nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and gastric upsets. Treatment is mainly supportive although gastric lavage will be necessary if a large amount has been ingested.

• Prolonged use of an anti-infective may result in the development of superinfection due to the emergence of resistant organisms.
• Cephradine should be administered with care to patients hypersensitive to penicillins because of the risk of cross-sensitivity between beta-lactam antibiotics.
• Cephalosporin antibiotics may cause a positive result in Coombs’ testing. When Coombs testing is performed on neonates whose mothers received cephalosporins prior to labour, it should be noted that a positive result may be due to the drug.
• Cephradine may cause a false positive urine glucose result when Benedict’s or Fehling’s solutions or tablets such as Clinitest are used in the testing. This does not occur with enzyme-based tests (e.g. Clinistix, Diastix).
• Dosage adjustment is necessary in renal impairment.
• This product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal studies have not demonstrated any teratogenicity, safety in pregnancy has not been established. Cephradine is excreted in breast milk and should be used with caution in lactating mothers. Since the medicine may cause dizziness, patients should be cautioned about operating hazardous machinery, including automobiles.