Cefaclor is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of cephalosporins. The drug is primarily used to treat bacterial respiratory infections.
What is cefaclor?
Cefaclor is the name for a cephalosporin that is 2nd generation. Cephalosporins are classified as beta-lactams. They can be administered both as tablets and in the form of infusions. Cephalosporins were developed from a substance contained inside the fungus Acremonium chrysogenum. The antibiotic substance was discovered in Italy in the 1940s. The positive effect of the active substance on typhoid fever was also of interest to the medical community at the time. Over the course of time, a number of laboratory modifications were made to the cephalosporins, resulting in the production of numerous improved drugs. These include cefaclor, which was launched on the European market in the 1970s. In modern times, it is included in a variety of generic drugs.
Pharmacologic action
The antibacterial mode of action of cefaclor is similar to the effects of other cephalosporins. Thus, the antibiotic interferes with cell wall synthesis of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. By impairing the cell wall structure of the bacteria, they can no longer multiply undisturbed. In order for the bacteria to be able to increase their growth, they are forced to dissolve their cell wall at specific points with the aid of enzymes. Once growth is successfully completed, they can rebuild the affected areas and cross-link. Because of this constant process, the bacteria have the ability to adapt well to different environmental factors. If the enzymes that take over the rebuilding of the cell wall are inhibited by cefaclor, this does not lead to the direct death of the bacteria, but they are no longer able to multiply further. In this way, the human defense system is given the opportunity to fight the infection and put an end to it. Among the properties of cefaclor is a pronounced stability against the penicillases of gram-positive bacteria. However, the stability of the antibiotic against plasmid-encoded beta-lactamases is considered to be low. The absorption of cefaclor into the organism takes place in the upper intestinal region, where most of the active substance passes into the blood. The highest blood level occurs after one hour. Since the active ingredient is rapidly distributed in the tissues, it can no longer be detected within the blood after 4 to 6 hours. There is no direct breakdown of cefaclor from the body. However, the drug exhibits chemical instability when dissolved in water. This results in the formation of inactive decay products, most of which are excreted in the urine.
Medicinal use and application
Cefaclor is suitable for the treatment of acute and chronic bacterial infections. Primarily, these are diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and otitis media. Other areas of application include inflammation of the urinary bladder or urinary tract, kidney infections, soft tissue inflammation, skin infections and the venereal disease gonorrhea (gonorrhea). It is important that the patient adheres to the prescribed duration of cefaclor therapy. This applies even if symptoms improve, otherwise the bacteria may become resistant to the active ingredient. As an aqueous solution, cefaclor has only a limited shelf life. For this reason, the antibiotic is administered as a capsule, tablet, effervescent tablet or dry juice. The patient fills up the dry juice with a little water before taking it. This produces a cefaclor juice. The recommended dose for children and adolescents older than 10 years is 500 milligrams of cefaclor taken three times a day. If needed, the treating physician has the option to increase the dose to 4000 mg of cefaclor daily. The antibiotic is taken as part of meals with plenty of fluids. The duration of cefaclor therapy varies from 7 to 10 days.
Risks and side effects
One in about 10 to 100 patients is likely to experience adverse side effects from taking cefaclor.These are primarily rashes on the skin, redness, itching, hives, a swollen face, swelling, inflamed kidneys, anemia and drug fever. In addition, the patient’s blood count may temporarily change. These include an increase in specific white blood cells, leukopenia (decrease in white blood cells), a reduction in granulocytes, or a lack of platelets. In rare cases, patients suffer from loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Even allergic shock is within the realm of possibility. If prolonged therapy with cefaclor takes place, there is a risk of infestation of the colon with bacteria or fungi, which is manifested by intestinal inflammation. Cefaclor treatment must then be discontinued immediately. Cefaclor must not be administered if the patient suffers from an allergy to the active substance. The same applies to hypersensitivity to other cephalosporins. If other allergies or asthma are present, the patient must discuss this with the doctor before treatment. Cefaclor is also not suitable for the treatment of babies. In pregnancy and lactation, consultation with the doctor must take place. Thus, cefaclor can reach the unborn child via the amniotic fluid. Known damage has not yet resulted from this according to the current state of knowledge, but therapy with the antibiotic may nevertheless only take place with a doctor’s permission.
