What is cefaclor?

Cefaclor is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Cefaclor is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. Cefaclor may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about cefaclor?

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefaclor, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Keflex, Omnicef, and others.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or a history of intestinal problems.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

How should I take cefaclor?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Cefaclor works best if you take it with a meal or within 30 minutes of a meal.

The cefaclor chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

This medication can cause you to have false results with certain medical tests, including urine glucose (sugar) tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using cefaclor.

Take cefaclor for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefaclor will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store cefaclor oral liquid in the refrigerator. Do not allow it to freeze. Throw away any unused medication that is older than 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking cefaclor?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Cefaclor dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis:

Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis or secondary bacterial infection of acute bronchitis:
Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours
Extended-release: 500 mg orally every 12 hours with food
Duration: 7 days

Usual Adult Dose for Otitis Media:

Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 10 to 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pneumonia:

Mild to moderate: 
Immediate-release: 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 10 to 21 days

Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis:

Mild to moderate: 
Immediate-release: 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:

Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 10 to 14 days
Extended-release: 375 mg orally every 12 hours with food
Duration: 10 to 14 days. Longer courses of therapy, sometimes 3 to 4 weeks, may be required for refractory or recurrent cases.

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection:

Uncomplicated: 
Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours
Extended-release: 375 mg orally every 12 hours with food
Duration: 7 to 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours
Extended-release: 375 mg orally every 12 hours with food
Duration: 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection:

Mild to moderate: 
Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 10 days
Extended-release: 375 mg orally every 12 hours with food
Duration: 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

Immediate-release: 250 to 500 mg orally every 8 hours for 3 to 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Otitis Media:

1 month or older: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day
Duration: At least 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis:

1 month or older: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day
Duration: At least 10 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cystitis:

1 month or more: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pneumonia:

1 month or more: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pyelonephritis:

1 month or more: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection:

1 month or more: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection:

1 month or more: 
Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 or 12 hours; do not exceed 1 g/day

Common side effects

Swelling of hands, Fainting, Inflammation of the vagina, Itching of skin, Raised, Nausea, Severe allergic events including swelling of eyes and lips, And fungal infections of the vagina ., Inflammation of large intestine, Dilatation of blood vessels, Arthralgia, Inflammation of joint, Positive coombs' tests, Breathlessness, Abnormal sensations like tingling, Reduced level of white blood cell count or increased count of blood cells called eosinophils, Numbness, Feet, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Increase in the white blood cells called lymphocytes, Pale red, Burning of skin, And face, Pricking, Itching of genital and anal skin, Abnormal urine tests, Itchy skin rash, Weakness