Performer

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Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Performer

Property Description
Active ingredient Cefaclor
Form Capsule, oral suspension, extended-release tablet
Pharmacological class Cephalosporin antibiotic (Second-generation)
Common use Fighting bacterial infections
Origin Semisynthetic

What Type of Medicine is Performer?

Performer is a trade name for the active drug Cefaclor, which is classified as a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic. It belongs specifically to the second-generation cephalosporins drug class. Cefaclor is derived from naturally occurring compounds that are chemically modified to enhance its stability and effectiveness, defining its structure as a beta-lactam compound.

This medicine’s core identity is that of a potent anti-infective agent. Cefaclor is an antibiotic agent employed to address susceptible bacterial organisms in the body. The drug’s primary function is to eliminate the bacteria causing the illness. Cefaclor is recognized for its efficacy in treating community-acquired infections.


Cefaclor: Composition and Available Forms

The therapeutic component of Performer is the single-ingredient product, Cefaclor, which is supplied for oral administration.

Cefaclor is available in several dosage forms for administration by mouth, including immediate-release capsules, a liquid oral suspension prepared from powder, and an extended-release tablet. The oral route of administration ensures systemic absorption into the body. Its formulation includes pharmaceutical excipients appropriate for its solid and liquid forms, providing flexibility in administration. The oral suspension form is often positioned for pediatric patient groups or individuals who have difficulty swallowing solid medication.


How Cefaclor Provides its General Benefit

Cefaclor’s general benefit in treating illness stems from its fundamental bactericidal action, meaning it actively kills susceptible bacteria rather than merely halting their reproduction.

This destructive effect is achieved by the drug interfering with the bacteria’s ability to construct a stable and protective cell wall. By binding to specific enzymes known as penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), Cefaclor inhibits the final necessary stages of cell wall synthesis, which leads directly to the breakdown and death of the bacterial cell. This mechanism forms the core reason for its use in clearing infections caused by sensitive organisms.

What side effects are possible with Performer?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile of Performer (Cefaclor) is established by regulatory documentation, classifying potential adverse reactions by both frequency and the affected body system. These statements are derived from clinical trial data and post-marketing surveillance, providing a factual outline of the medicine's risk characteristics.


Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The official labeling organizes adverse effects into frequency categories:

  • Common (1–10%): Generally include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, eosinophilia, and vaginitis or moniliasis (superinfection).
  • Uncommon / Rare: Include serum sickness-like reactions, transient elevations of liver enzymes, blood disorders (e.g., leukopenia), and nervous system effects such as confusion or seizures.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Systemic Involvement

Adverse reactions are documented across several System-Organ Classes, including the Gastrointestinal, Immune System, Blood and Lymphatic System, Skin, and Nervous System. The regulatory documentation highlights rare but clinically serious adverse reactions, which include anaphylaxis (a severe acute hypersensitivity reaction), pseudomembranous colitis (a serious gastrointestinal complication), and severe cutaneous events like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).


Population-Specific and Time-Related Safety Notes

Safety constraints are noted for specific populations. Caution is advised in the presence of markedly impaired renal function, as this population is at increased risk for seizures and neurotoxicity. Pediatric patients have been reported to experience serum sickness-like reactions more frequently than adults. Certain reactions, like colitis, may occur during or up to several weeks after cessation of therapy, and the risk of superinfection is associated with prolonged use.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory information for Performer (Cefaclor) overdose details the expected clinical presentations and the mandated actions for seeking emergency help. Overdose is primarily characterized by dose-related gastrointestinal effects, and specific neurological risks exist for certain patient groups.

Property Description (As stated in official regulatory documents)
Documented overdose presentations The most common anticipated symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and epigastric distress (stomach pain). The severity of the epigastric distress and diarrhea are explicitly stated as being dose-related.
Emergency actions required Protect the patient's airway and support ventilation and perfusion. Call the poison control helpline.
Population-specific notes Patients with renal impairment are at increased risk of severe adverse events, including seizures (convulsions), if the dosage is not properly adjusted.
When immediate medical help is required Immediately call emergency services at 911 if the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened.

Official Overdose Statements

Overdose may present with dose-related gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and epigastric distress. Immediate medical attention is required if severe symptoms occur, and emergency services must be called if the patient has had a seizure or has collapsed. The management of overdose is supportive and may involve procedures such as administering activated charcoal to limit absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Regulatory documents state that no specific antidote is established as beneficial for management. Patients with renal impairment are at a heightened risk for central nervous system effects, such as seizures, in situations involving high concentrations of the drug.

Therapeutic Uses of Performer

What Performer Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The primary purpose of Performer (Cefaclor) is applied in addressing conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes across several key body systems. This therapeutic intervention is generally applied in settings marked by temporary physiological imbalance, such as community-acquired illness. Cefaclor is commonly used to manage certain infections caused by bacteria.

The medicine is relevant in managing conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, including infections of the ears (otitis media), throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis), sinuses, lower respiratory tract (bronchitis exacerbations, pneumonia), skin (cellulitis), and urinary tract (cystitis).

“The use of this medication assists in the management of these conditions, and supports patients during difficult episodes by easing distress.”

This drug is applied in addressing symptoms related to systemic imbalance, such as fever and malaise, and symptoms linked to organ-specific functional stress, including painful urination and localized pain in the ears and skin. It contributes to easing the overall symptom load during periods of heightened symptoms, and **assists with maintaining functional stability.


Quick Fact: Supportive management of Symptoms Related to Physical Discomfort Performer is commonly used to help with acute pain and pressure in confined spaces like the middle ear and the sinus cavities when the discomfort is caused by bacterial infection.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility Map: Who can and cannot use Performer — Official Regulatory Information

Eligibility Scope Official Regulatory Statement
Populations for whom use is allowed (as stated in label) Adults and Children aged 1 month and older (for standard capsule and oral suspension forms).
Populations for whom use is contraindicated Patients with known allergy to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, or a major, immediate-type allergy to penicillin.
Age-related eligibility rules Infants under 1 month of age are ineligible as safety and efficacy have not been established. The extended-release tablet is restricted to patients aged 16 years and older.
Condition-specific eligibility rules Use requires caution in patients with markedly impaired renal function and individuals with a history of colitis.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Pregnant women: Use is restricted and should be considered only if clearly needed. Nursing women: Use requires caution, as the effect on the infant is not known.

Eligibility Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Official Regulatory Wording
Eligibility severity classification Contraindicated (for allergy history); Safety and efficacy not established (for infants/young children); Caution (for renal impairment/colitis/lactation).

Resulting Eligibility Structure

Official eligibility statements:

  • Contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics.
  • Safety and efficacy have not been established for infants under 1 month of age, or for the extended-release tablet in children under 16 years.
  • The medicine should be administered with caution in the presence of markedly impaired renal function and in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis.
  • Use during pregnancy is restricted and considered essential only if clearly needed due to the lack of adequate human safety data.

Connection to the overall eligibility profile: Regulatory documents strictly define who can and cannot use the medicine by establishing absolute exclusions based on hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics, and by setting minimum age thresholds below which safety is not established. Eligibility is further structured by placing cautions and restrictions on use for patients with impaired renal function or a history of colitis, and for pregnant or nursing women, reflecting explicit regulatory limitations.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interaction Map: Interactions with other medicines and products — official regulatory information for Performer (Cefaclor)


Interaction Scope

Property Value
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions: Uricosuric agents (Probenecid), Oral Anticoagulants.
Specific interacting medicines (if explicitly listed): Probenecid, Warfarin (as a representative oral anticoagulant).
Mechanistic basis of interactions (only if stated in label): Pharmacokinetic: Inhibition of renal tubular secretion. Pharmacodynamic: Potentiation of the anticoagulant effect.
Timing-based interaction rules (if applicable): Food: The extended-release tablet requires specific administration timing to ensure optimal absorption.
Population-specific interaction notes (if applicable): None are explicitly stated within the interaction sections of major regulatory documents.
Interaction-related restrictions: Probenecid co-administration results in increased Cefaclor plasma concentrations. Oral anticoagulants co-administration increases the potential for bleeding.

Interaction Classifications (High-Level)

Property Value
Interaction severity classification (as defined in official documents): Interactions requiring caution and monitoring. No formal contraindicated combinations are consistently listed.
Regulatory basis (EMA / FDA / etc.): US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Prescribing Information; European Medicines Agency (EMA) Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
Interaction-context constraints (as defined in official documents): The food interaction is formulation-specific, affecting the extended-release tablet and capsule forms differently.

Resulting Interaction Structure

Official Interaction Statements:

  • Co-administration with Probenecid results in a pharmacokinetic interaction due to the inhibition of renal tubular secretion, which increases and prolongs Cefaclor plasma concentrations.
  • There is a documented risk of interaction with oral anticoagulants, which may lead to a potential enhancement of the anticoagulant effect. This is associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
  • The absorption of the extended-release tablet is significantly reduced when taken without food. Conversely, the capsule form's peak concentration is reduced if taken with food, although total absorption remains unchanged.

Connection to the overall interaction profile

Official regulatory documents define the interaction structure around two primary concerns: pharmacokinetic exposure modification via renal clearance interference by agents like Probenecid, and pharmacodynamic potentiation of antithrombotic effects with oral anticoagulants. A third distinct constraint relates to the required administration conditions for different Cefaclor formulations, where food affects absorption parameters.

Mechanism of Action

Performer, containing Cefaclor, functions as a bactericidal agent by disrupting the structural integrity of susceptible bacteria, rather than merely halting their growth. The primary mechanism involves the covalent and irreversible inhibition of crucial bacterial enzymes known as Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs) . These PBPs are transpeptidases responsible for the final steps of peptidoglycan cross-linking, which provides mechanical strength to the bacterial cell wall. By chemically deactivating these key targets, Cefaclor blocks the assembly of a functional cell wall. This blockade initiates a destructive cascade: the resulting defective outer layer cannot withstand the high internal osmotic pressure of the bacterium, leading rapidly to cell lysis (rupture and death). This cascade results in the bactericidal effect, defined as the elimination of the susceptible microbial cell. The drug's mechanism is countered when bacteria produce beta-lactamase enzymes, which chemically inactivate Cefaclor by hydrolyzing its active beta-lactam ring. This enzymatic deactivation is the mechanistic basis for certain forms of bacterial resistance.

Dosage and Administration Information

Instruction Map: How to use Performer — Administration Guidelines

The medication Performer, which contains Cefaclor, is intended for oral administration across all available forms: immediate-release capsules, oral suspension, and extended-release tablets.


Administration Scope

Instruction Detail
Route of administration Oral (by mouth) only.
Dosing schedule (Adult) Immediate-Release (IR) is typically 250 mg every 8 hours (q8h). Doses may increase to 500 mg q8h, with a total daily dose not to exceed 4 grams. Extended-Release (ER) tablets are taken twice daily (q12h) in strengths from 375 mg to 750 mg.
Timing in relation to meals For IR forms, taking the drug with food may delay peak concentration, but the total amount absorbed is unchanged.
Age-group administration rules Pediatric dosing is calculated based on body weight, ranging from 20 mg/kg/day to 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses. Dose adjustment is generally not required for patients with moderate renal impairment.
Special procedural conditions The ER tablets must not be cut, crushed, or chewed to maintain their release mechanism. The liquid suspension requires reconstitution with water according to specific instructions before use.

Instruction Classifications (High-Level)

Classification Detail
Administration method type Oral
Frequency pattern Divided daily use

Resulting procedural structure

Step sequence:

  • The appropriate form and strength (IR or ER) is selected according to clinical guidelines.
  • If using the suspension, it is reconstituted as directed prior to the first dose.
  • The medication is taken by mouth according to the prescribed frequency (q8h or q12h) and dose.
  • The administration course is completed for the full duration specified (e.g., minimum 10 days for streptococcal infections).

Connection to the overall use protocol

The instructions establish a structured protocol that describes the exact oral route, the required dosage ranges, and the necessary frequency and duration for both immediate-release and extended-release formats. This framework ensures the medicine is applied under the specific, standardized conditions detailed for its use.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Performer: Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Focus and Core Findings

Research investigated the drug's activity in the central nervous system. Studies examined whether the drug's effect was associated with changes in focus and executive function in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Evidence from Short-Term Trials

In a 12-week placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial (RCT), studies reported a measured change in core ADHD symptoms among study participants compared to placebo. The trial utilized the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) to assess changes in symptoms. Research evaluated whether the overall study findings were associated with the timing of reported changes in symptoms.

Long-Term Follow-up

Long-term studies (6 months) examined whether the drug continued to show measured changes in symptom management. Study protocols specified the continued administration of the treatment over the defined period. Findings indicated that the measured changes in ADHD-RS scores persisted over the six-month period of the study.


Subpopulation Research and Safety

Population Studies

Age Group Research Focus
Children (6–12) Studies examined the treatment in children aged 6 to 12 and included trials that evaluated different starting dosage levels.
Adolescents (13–17) Studies examined the treatment in adolescents aged 13 to 17. The clinical profile of the treatment in adolescents with comorbid anxiety remains to be fully explored.

Safety and Interactions

Studies excluded individuals with uncontrolled hypertension. The significance of the drug's profile for individuals with a history of controlled hypertension has not been fully established. Trials monitored participants for changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

Research examined the co-administration of the drug with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). Study findings included reports of specific adverse events. Studies also evaluated the single-dose formulation compared to multiple daily doses and examined whether this affected adherence to the regimen.

Key Studies & References

  1. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  2. What is ADHD?
  3. ADHD in children and youth: Part 2—Treatment | Canadian Paediatric Society

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Performer (FAQ)


Q: Is there a generic version of Performer available to patients?

A: Yes, there is a generic version available. Performer is a trade name for the active drug Cefaclor. Regulatory resources, including those from the NIH and FDA, confirm that Cefaclor is the official name of the generic equivalent of this medicine.

Q: How is the effect of Performer described in official medical sources?

A: Official medical documents describe the drug's effect as bactericidal. This means that the drug works by directly killing the susceptible bacteria that are causing an infection. It accomplishes this by interfering with the bacteria's ability to build a stable cell wall.

Q: Is it normal to feel slightly dizzy or drowsy when first starting Performer?

A: Adverse events such as dizziness and somnolence (drowsiness) have been reported by users. However, official drug labels state that the direct causal relationship between the drug and these nervous system effects is listed as uncertain.

Q: Can taking Performer affect a person's sleep patterns?

A: Official information lists insomnia (difficulty sleeping) as a nervous system effect that has been reported. As with other nervous system reports, the direct causal relationship to the medicine is listed as uncertain in some regulatory documents.

Q: Does Performer make it unsafe to drive or operate heavy machinery?

A: The drug is associated with nervous system effects such as dizziness, confusion, and somnolence (drowsiness). Because these conditions may affect a person's judgment and motor skills, one should consider the potential impact on safety before driving or operating machinery.

Q: Can Performer be used for issues other than its main, official purpose?

A: Official regulatory documents, such as those from the FDA, define the conditions for which this drug has established safety and effectiveness in the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section. The medicine is prescribed only for these specified uses.

Q: How long does it typically take for Performer to start working?

A: According to the official prescribing information, the medicine is absorbed relatively quickly. After taking a dose, peak concentrations in the blood are generally obtained within 30 to 60 minutes in fasting subjects.

Q: What is the usual duration of action for one dose of Performer?

A: The average serum half-life (the time it takes for the amount of drug in the body to be reduced by half) in normal subjects is reported to be quite short, typically 0.6 to 0.9 hour.

Q: Is Performer intended for short-term use or long-term management?

A: Performer is typically administered for short treatment courses, such as a minimum of 10 days for certain bacterial infections. Regulatory documents specifically advise that prolonged use of the medicine may be associated with the risk of overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, such as a secondary infection.

Q: Are there any known interactions between Performer and hormonal contraceptives (birth control)?

A: Yes, some official drug information indicates that this medicine may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. This interaction includes birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections. Patients should be aware of this risk.

Q: Does Performer have an impact on a person's overall mood or feelings of anxiety?

A: Nervous system effects that have been reported include feelings of nervousness, agitation, and hyperactivity. However, the official regulatory documents specify that the direct causal relationship between the drug and these mood-related effects is listed as uncertain.

Q: Can someone with liver problems or kidney issues take Performer?

A: Official regulatory documents advise that the medicine should be administered with caution in the presence of markedly impaired renal function (severe kidney problems). The official information does not establish a specific caution or restriction related to pre-existing liver problems.

Q: Is hair loss listed as a potential side effect of Performer in patient information?

A: No. When analyzing all reported side effects, official regulatory documents do not list hair loss as a reported adverse effect of this medicine.

Q: How should I properly store and dispose of Performer medication?

A: Storage requirements differ depending on the form; for example, the oral suspension must be kept refrigerated after mixing. For disposal, official guidelines state that unused or expired medicine should not be thrown into household waste or flushed down the toilet, and disposal must follow local environmental safety requirements or a drug take-back program.

How should Performer be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Performer (Cefaclor)

Storage Conditions

Storage requirements for Performer (Cefaclor) vary by form. Solid forms (capsules and tablets) must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30°C and protected from light and moisture. They should remain in the original, tightly closed container.

The reconstituted oral suspension requires mandatory storage in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). The liquid suspension must not be frozen and is only stable for 14 days when refrigerated. Any unused portion must be discarded after this period.

Disposal and Safety

All forms of this medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal of unused or expired product must be done in accordance with local requirements. Official guidelines typically advise against throwing the medicine into household waste or wastewater to prevent environmental contamination.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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