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Back to 1st Generation Cephalosporins

Name: Cefaclor

Pregnancy Category B

Drug classes

Antibiotics
Cephalosporin (first generation)

Mechanism of action of Cefaclor
Bactericidal:  inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall, causing cell death.

Indications of Cefaclor

• Lower respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, S. pyogenes
• Upper respiratory infections caused by S. pyogenes
• Dermatologic infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, S. pyogenes
• UTIs caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella, coagulase-negative staphylococci
• Otitis media caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, S. pyogenes, staphylococci

Unlabeled use: acute uncomplicated UTI in select patients, single 2-g dose

Contraindications of Cefaclor

• Allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins
• Renal failure
• Lactation

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Adverse effectsof Cefaclor

• CNS: Headache, dizziness, lethargy, paresthesias
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, pseudomembranous colitis, liver toxicity
• Hematologic: Bone marrow depression
• GU: Nephrotoxicity
• Hypersensitivity: Ranging from rash, fever to anaphylaxis; serum sickness reaction
• Other: Superinfections

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