Cefaclor for infection

About cefaclor

Cefaclor is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it is active against a wide variety of bacteria. It is used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, chest infections, ear infections and sinusitis. It is suitable for adults and children, and can be taken during pregnancy. Some people who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics may not be able to take cefaclor, so make sure your doctor knows if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other antibiotic.

Cefaclor treats an infection by killing the bacteria that are causing it.

Before taking cefaclor

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking cefaclor it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento. Es especialmente importante que informe a su médico si ha tenido una reacción adversa a un antibiótico de penicilina o cefalosporina.

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding. (Although cefaclor is not known to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Si toma o utiliza otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, como las hierbas medicinales y los medicamentos complementarios.

How to take cefaclor

• Before you start taking cefaclor, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the antibiotic and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• If you are taking capsules or liquid medicine, the usual dose for an adult is 250-500 mg three times daily. For a child, the usual dose is 62.5-250 mg three times daily, depending upon age. Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you (or your child) and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you. Your course of treatment may be for longer or shorter periods of time than mentioned here, so it is important that you take cefaclor exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you have been given liquid medicine, read the directions carefully to make sure you measure out the correct amount of medicine. Cefaclor capsules and liquid medicine can be taken either before or after food, although they may start to work sooner if they are taken before food.

• If you are taking cefaclor modified-release tablets (for example, Distaclor MR®), you will be prescribed one or two tablets to take twice daily. Take the tablets with meals and swallow the tablets whole - do not chew or break them.

• Distribuya las dosis uniformemente a lo largo del día. Siga tomando el antibiótico hasta que termine el tratamiento, a menos que le digan que deje de tomarlo. Es importante tomar el tratamiento completo (aunque creas que la infección ha desaparecido) para evitar que vuelva a aparecer.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde. Intente tomar el número correcto de dosis cada día, pero no tome dos dosis al mismo tiempo para compensar.
  

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Algunas personas desarrollan aftas (enrojecimiento y picor en la boca o la vagina) después de tomar antibióticos. Si cree que tiene aftas, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

• Some antacids may reduce the amount of cefaclor your body absorbs. Because of this, it is recommended that you do not take indigestion remedies during the two hours before or during the two hours after you take cefaclor.

• Si utiliza anticonceptivos hormonales combinados orales (la "píldora"), se recomienda tomar precauciones anticonceptivas adicionales, como preservativos, durante un tiempo si tiene náuseas (vómitos) o diarrea que duren más de 24 horas. Si necesitas más información al respecto, habla con tu médico o farmacéutico.

• Cefaclor may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can cefaclor cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with cefaclor. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you develop an itchy rash, a swollen face or mouth, or have difficulty breathing, these can be signs that you are allergic to the antibiotic. Do not take any more cefaclor, and speak with your doctor or go to your local accident and emergency department straightaway.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse a este medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store cefaclor

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• If you have been given liquid medicine, store it in a refrigerator. It will have been made up by the pharmacy and lasts for 14 days, so check the expiry date on the bottle and do not use it after this date.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos