Intracef 250

Description

Intracef 250 Capsule

Generic Name: Cephradine

Manufacturer: Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Available in Nepal)

Uses

Intracef 250 Capsule is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat various susceptible bacterial infections, including:

• Respiratory Tract Infections: Pneumonia, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, other susceptible respiratory tract infections.
• Ear Infections: Otitis media.
• Skin and Skin-Structure Infections.
• Urinary Tract Infections: Including acute prostatitis and other genitourinary tract infections.
• Other Infections: Rheumatic fever (for prevention), and susceptible infections in general.
• Prophylaxis: Surgical prophylaxis.

Dosing Information

Intracef 250 Capsule can be taken with or without food. Taking it with meals may help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.

Adult Dosing

• Oral (PO) for Susceptible Infections: 1-2 g per day, divided into 2-4 doses. The maximum daily dose is 4 g.
  • Skin and Skin Structures and Respiratory Tract Infections: Usual dose is 250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours.
  • Lobar Pneumonia: 500 mg every 6 hours or 1 g every 12 hours.
  • Urinary Tract Infection: Usual dose is 500 mg every 12 hours.
  • Gastro-intestinal Tract Infection: 500 mg three to four times daily.
• Surgical Prophylaxis (PO): 1-2 g before surgery. Subsequent doses may be given as needed.
• Intravenous (IV) / Intramuscular (IM) for Severe Infections: 2-4 g per day, divided into 4 doses. The maximum daily dose is 8 g.

Child Dosing

• Oral: The usual total dose is 25 to 50 mg/kg/day, given in 2 to 4 equally divided doses.
• Injection (IV, IM): 50 to 100 mg/kg/day in 4 equally divided doses. The usual total dose may be increased up to 200-300 mg/kg/day for severe infections.
• Perioperative Prophylaxis: Recommended dose is 1-2 g by intramuscular or intravenous route; subsequent parenteral or oral doses are given as appropriate.

Dosing for Kidney Problems

For patients undergoing chronic intermittent hemodialysis:

• 250 mg may be given at the start of the session, repeated after 6-12 hours, then again 36-48 hours after the initial dose, and again at the start of the next hemodialysis if more than 30 hours have elapsed since the previous dose.

Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) guidelines:

• >20 ml/min: 500 mg every 6 hours.
• 5-20 ml/min: 250 mg every 6 hours.
• <5 ml/min: 250 mg every 12 hours.

Administration

• Oral: May be taken with or without food; taking with meals may reduce GI discomfort.
• Parenteral (IV/IM): Administer by deep intramuscular injection or by slow intravenous injection over 3-5 minutes, or by intravenous infusion.

Reconstitution for Injection:

• IM: Add 2 mL or 4 mL of sterile water for injection or 0.9% NaCl injection to 500 mg or 1 g vial, respectively.
• IV: Add 5 mL of sterile water for injection, 5% dextrose injection, 0.9% NaCl injection, or other suitable solution to a 500 mg vial. Shake the entire solution well.

Important Considerations

Do Not Use If:

• You have a hypersensitivity (allergy) to Cephradine or other cephalosporin antibiotics.
• You have porphyria.

Use With Caution If You Have:

• Renal impairment (kidney problems).
• A history of penicillin sensitivity/allergy.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:

• Pregnancy: Use with caution.
• Lactation: The drug enters breast milk in low concentrations; use with caution.

Drug Interactions

• Loop Diuretics: Increased risk of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) when used concurrently.
• Probenecid: Decreases the renal clearance of Cephradine, potentially increasing its serum levels.

Potentially Fatal:

• Pseudomembranous colitis can occur as an adverse effect.

Possible Side Effects

• Common: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
• Blood-related: Leukopenia (low white blood cell count), neutropenia (low neutrophil count), eosinophilia (increased eosinophils).
• Skin: Rash, pruritus (itching).
• Musculoskeletal: Joint pain.
• Kidney-related: Increased BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels.
• Other: Dizziness.

Potentially Fatal Side Effect:

• Pseudomembranous colitis.

How Intracef 250 Works (Mechanism of Action)

Cephradine is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by inhibiting the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis, which is a crucial process in the formation of the bacterial cell wall. Cephradine achieves this by binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) found in bacteria. This action arrests cell wall synthesis, ultimately leading to bacterial cell death.

Disclaimer: This information about Intracef 250 Capsule is for general knowledge and is not intended for diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment. It should not be considered a substitute for the exercise of professional judgment.