Cefaclor
Benjamin Clanner-Engelshofen is a freelance writer in the medical department. He studied biochemistry and pharmacy in Munich and Cambridge / Boston (USA) and noticed early on that he particularly enjoyed the interface between medicine and science. That is why he went on to study human medicine.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.The active ingredient cefaclor is an antibiotic from the group of cephalosporins. It belongs to the second generation of the cephalosporins and, in contrast to the first generation, also has an increased effect against so-called gram-negative bacteria. Here you can read more about the effects and use of Cefaclor, side effects and other important facts.
This is how Cefaclor works
The antibiotic cefaclor acts like other cephalosporins against bacteria. Based on the structure of their cell wall, these are divided into gram-positive (which can be stained under the microscope with a certain color) and gram-negative (non-stainable) bacteria. Many antibiotics impair the structure of the cell wall of bacteria and can thus prevent their growth and reproduction. In contrast to many other antibiotics, Cefaclor is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
In order for the bacteria to grow, they have to dissolve their cell wall at certain points with the help of certain enzymes and then rebuild and network them after growth is complete. This constant process ensures that bacteria can usually adapt very well to different environmental conditions.
If you now inhibit the corresponding enzymes that are responsible for rebuilding the cell wall, the bacteria are not killed directly, but their growth and reproduction are inhibited to the extent that they are. This allows the immune system to quickly get the infection under control. Such an inhibition of bacterial enzymes is possible with Cefaclor.
Absorption, breakdown and excretion of cefaclor
After ingestion, cefaclor is largely absorbed into the blood in the upper part of the intestine and reaches the highest blood level after an hour. It spreads quickly in the tissue, so that after four to six hours no active substance can be detected in the blood. Cefaclor is not broken down by the body, but it is chemically unstable when dissolved in water, which creates inactive decay products. It is mainly excreted via the kidneys with the urine.
When is Cefaclor used?
The active ingredient cefaclor works against infections with bacteria that respond to this antibiotic. These include many pathogens that cause infections of the respiratory tract, nose, ear, kidney and lower urinary tract, skin and soft tissue.
The medically recommended duration of use and cefaclor dosage should be strictly adhered to, even if the symptoms improve quickly. Otherwise, a cefaclor-resistant infection may develop.
This is how Cefaclor is used
The antibiotic cefaclor has a limited shelf life in aqueous solution, which is why it is only marketed in the form of tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets or so-called dry juices. Dry juices are topped up with a certain amount of water before ingestion, which creates the actual Cefaclor juice (actually a suspension, i.e. powder particles in liquid). Since these particles sink over time and the active ingredient collects on the bottom, the bottle should always be swirled around (not shaken to prevent foam) before taking it out. The single-dose dosage forms (tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets) are easier to use in this regard.
Adults and children and adolescents over ten years of age usually take 500 milligrams of cefaclor three times a day. In the case of severe infections, the doctor can increase the dose of cefaclor up to 4,000 milligrams per day. Younger children receive lower doses according to their body weight. For children under six years of age, a liquid dosage form should be chosen (effervescent tablet or juice), as at this age there are sometimes problems with swallowing tablets and capsules.
What are the side effects of Cefaclor?
The active ingredient cefaclor can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal complaints and allergic skin reactions (reddening, itching, swelling) in one in ten to one hundred patients. As allergic reactions can be serious, a doctor should be informed.
Occasionally (in one in a hundred to a thousand people treated), cefaclor side effects such as sleep problems, tiredness, confusion, dizziness, high blood pressure, seizures and increased blood enzyme and blood urea values are shown.
What should be considered when taking cefaclor?
Taking Cefaclor together with other antibiotics (such as erythromycin, chloramphenicol and tetracycline) should be avoided, as the substances can interfere with one another in the way they work.
Anticoagulants such as warfarin and phenprocoumon can have an increased effect when taking Cefaclor and may lead to bleeding.
If taking cefaclor causes diarrhea, other medicines may move faster through the gastrointestinal tract and may not be fully absorbed. This is known, for example, from the contraceptive pill, which is why, to be on the safe side, non-hormonal contraception should also be used during antibiotic therapy.
Patients who are allergic to penicillin may also have an allergic reaction to cephalosporins such as Cefaclor (so-called "cross allergy").
Cefaclor in pregnancy
Studies have so far not been able to prove any harmful effects in pregnancy. Accordingly, there is no evidence of an increased risk of malformations in the unborn child. According to the experts at the Berlin Charité, doctors can use Cefaclor during pregnancy if it is absolutely necessary.
Cefaclor while breastfeeding
A small part of Cefaclor passes into breast milk. The active ingredient can then disrupt the colonization of the intestines with bacteria in the infant. Affected children may have thin stools or diarrhea. As a result, sprouts rarely colonized the child's intestines. Compared to some other active ingredients, however, these effects are limited. This is why cefaclor is an important antibiotic for sick nursing mothers.
Cefaclor in certain people
Cefaclor can be used in reduced doses in children, the elderly and patients with impaired kidney function.
Always inform your doctor of previous illnesses or accompanying circumstances such as pregnancy and breastfeeding! This is the only way he can choose the best antibiotic for you!
How to get medicines with the active ingredient cefaclor
Antibiotics such as cefaclor can only be obtained in any dosage from the pharmacy after a doctor's prescription with a prescription.
The use of antibiotics takes place only after a doctor's instruction!
The doctor checks carefully whether cefaclor is the right drug against a certain disease and does more good than harm. He pays particular attention to side effects and special circumstances such as previous illnesses, pregnancy and breastfeeding or age. Careless use can have incalculable consequences - such as more antibiotic-resistant germs.
How long has Cefaclor been known?
The cephalosporins are all from a naturally occurring fungus Acremonium chrysogenum (beforeCephalosporium acremonium) occurring substance, which was discovered in Italy in the 1940s. This substance was very interesting for medicine at the time, as it was effective against the typhus disease, which the penicillin, which was already known at the time, was unable to do. Due to chemical changes in the laboratory, many cephalosporins with improved properties have been developed over the past decades. Cefaclor was approved in Europe as early as the 1970s and is also part of many generic medicines.
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