Patient leaflet - Cefradine 500 mg capsules
WHAT CEFRADINE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Cefradine is an antibiotic and belongs to a family of medicines called cephalosporins. Cefradine capsules are used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections including:
- tonsillitis
- sinusitis
- pharyngitis
- laryngo-tracheo bronchitis
- ear infections (otitis media)
- chest infections (bronchitis or pneumonia)
- skin infections
- bladder, urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder) and kidney
infections
It is also used in the prevention of infections following surgical procedures associated with a high risk of infection.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CEFRADINE
Do not take Cefradine Capsules if you:
- are allergic to cefradine or any of the
ingredients contained in this medicine; see section 6 Contents of the pack and other information.
- are allergic to penicillin antibiotics
- suffer with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose
malabsorption
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before
taking cefradine if:
- you suffer from kidney problems, as you may require a lower dose than normal
- you are a diabetic. If you use chemical tests to check for sugar in urine, cefradine may cause a false positive reaction. This does not occur with dipstick type tests, or tests for blood sugar.
- you have an intolerance to some sugars as this medicine contains lactose.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Talk to your doctor before taking Cefradine Capsules if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are planning to become
pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Important information about some of the ingredients in this medicine
Cefradine Capsules contain lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Other medicines and Cefradine
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken any other medicines even those not prescribed by a doctor. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- diuretics or ‘water tablets’ e.g. furosemide
- probenecid (used to treat gout)
Driving and using machines
Cefradine Capsules do not usually affect your ability to drive, but if you experience any dizziness do not drive or operate machinery.
HOW TO TAKE CEFRADINE
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
DOSAGE
Adults (including the elderly)
The recommended dose is 250mg or 500mg 4 times a day or 500mg-1000mg 2 times a day.
If you are elderly your doctor will see you more often while you are taking this medicine.
Use in Children
If you are giving Cefradine Capsules to your child, your doctor will work out the right dose depending on your child’s weight.
The recommended dose is 25mg to 50mg/kg body weight daily in divided doses.
The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and can be taken before or after meals. However, if you find that this medicine upsets your stomach it may help to take it with food.
If you forget to take Cefradine
Keep taking your medicine until the course is finished. If you forget to take a dose, take a dose as soon as you remember.
If you take more Cefradine than you should
If you take more capsules than you should, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or doctor immediately.
You should take this leaflet and any remaining capsules with you to show the doctor.
If you forget to take Cefradine
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule.
If you stop taking Cefradine
Keep taking this medicine until it is finished or your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it just because you feel better.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
STOP taking Cefradine capsules and tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- severe, possibly bloody diarrhoea
- severe peeling or blistering of the skin
- swelling of the face, lips and tongue, tightness of the chest and difficulty breathing, feeling faint or itchy skin. These may be signs of an allergic reaction.
Other possible side effects:
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
- vomiting (being sick)
- headache
- abdominal pain
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- nausea (feeling sick)
- diarrhoea and stomach pain
- skin rashes
- confusion
- dizziness
- difficulty sleeping
- nervousness
- hyperactivity
- thrush
- heartburn, tightness in the chest
- vaginal infection
- stiffness and joint pain
- fever
- kidney inflammation, which could cause reduced urine output, cloudy or bloody urine, swelling and pain
- temporary liver problems which could cause dark urine, pale stools, fever, yellowing of your eyes and skin
- temporary blood disorders which could cause you to have more infections than usual and can also make your skin pale and cause weakness, breathlessness and tiredness
- sore tongue or mouth
If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, or if you suffer from any of the side effects listed please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme website:
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for
MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
HOW TO STORE CEFRADINE
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the pack your medicine came in. Do not store above 25ºC.
KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Cefradine Capsules contain
The active substance in your medicine is cefradine monohydrate. Each capsule contains cefradine monohydrate equivalent either 250mg or 500mg of cefradine. The capsules also contain the following inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate (E572), lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide (E171) and indigo carmine (E132). The 250mg capsule also contains yellow iron oxide (E172) and erythrosin (E127).
What Cefradine Capsules look like and contents of the pack
The 250mg strength capsules are blue and orange in colour.
The 500mg strength capsules are light blue in colour.
Cefradine 250mg and 500mg Capsules are supplied in packs of 10, 20 or 100 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Manufacturer
ACS Dobfar S.p.A, Via Laurentina Km 24, 730 – 00071 Pomezia, Roma, Italy.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Kent Pharma UK Limited, 2nd Floor, Connect 38, 1 Dover Place, Ashford, Kent, England, TN23 1FB.
PL 51463/0113 and PL 51463/0114
This leaflet was last revised October 2022 1.
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