Acefra Capsule 500 mg

Acefra Capsule, containing 500 mg of Cephradine, is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic manufactured by Apollo Pharmaceutical Ltd. Priced at ৳12.00 per capsule (20’s pack: ৳240.00), it effectively treats bacterial infections in respiratory, urinary, and skin systems. This capsule formulation requires strict storage guidelines for optimal potency.

The medication targets gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including penicillin-resistant strains. Its bactericidal action disrupts bacterial cell wall synthesis. Indications include sinusitis, pneumonia, UTIs, and skin abscesses. Clinical studies confirm efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, even in penicillinase-producing organisms.

Dosage Guidelines:

• Adults: 250-500mg every 6 hours or 500mg-1g twice daily
• Children: 25-100mg/kg/day in divided doses
• Elderly: Adjust based on renal function

Notable side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and rare hypersensitivity reactions. Drug interactions with loop diuretics may enhance nephrotoxicity. Pregnant/lactating women should use it cautiously. Overdose management focuses on symptomatic relief and gastric lavage for severe cases.

Adults: 500 mg every 6 hours. Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day in 4 doses. Renal dose adjustment based on creatinine clearance. Treatment duration 7-14 days depending on infection severity. Can be taken with or without food.

Limited essentially to gastro-intestinal disturbances and on occasions to hypersensitivity phenomena. The latter are more likely to occur in individuals, who have previously demonstrated hypersensitivity and thos with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever or urticaria. Skin reactions have occasionally been reported. Rare- Glossitis, heartburn, dizziness, tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vaginitis, candida overgrowth. Skin and hypersensitivity reactions include urticaria, skin rashes, joint pains, oedema.

• Blood and lymphatic system disorders- Unknown: blood disorders (including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia)
• Immune system disorders- Unknown: Fever, serum sickness like reactions, anaphylaxis
• Psychiatric disorders- Unknown: Confusion, sleep disturbances
• Nervous system disorders- Unknown: hyperactivity, hypertonia, dizziness, nervousness; Rarely: Headache
• Hepatobiliary disorders- Frequency unknown: Liver, enzyme disturbances, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice
• Renal and urinary disorders- Unknown: Reversible interstitial nephritis
• Investigations- Unknown: Elevation of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase.

Pregnancy safety not established, use under medical supervision. Excreted in breast milk – caution during lactation. Discontinue if infant develops diarrhea or rash.

Prolonged use may cause fungal overgrowth. Test for penicillin allergy history. Follow special dosing guidelines in dialysis patients. Monitor liver enzymes regularly.

Renal impairment: Dose adjustment needed if creatinine clearance <20 mL/min. Pediatric: Calculate dose based on body weight. Geriatric: Assess renal function before dosing. Hepatic disease: Requires special monitoring.

The symptoms of Sefrad overdose are non-specific and are generally nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and gastric upsets. Treatment is mainly supportive although gastric lavage will be necessary if a large amount has been ingested.