S-60

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S-60

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

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 S-60

What is S-60? Overview and Identity

Property Description
Active ingredient Cephradine
Form Capsules, Tablets, Oral suspension, Parenteral preparations
Pharmacological class First-Generation Cephalosporin Antibiotic
Common use Systemic bacterial infections
Origin Semi-synthetic compound

The preparation S-60 is a systemic medication containing the active compound Cephradine, a semi-synthetic agent classified as a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. This places it within the larger family of beta-lactam antibiotics. S-60 is a single-active-ingredient product and is generally utilized as a prescription-only drug. Its primary function is to target and fight bacterial proliferation throughout the body.

The medication is offered in several essential dosage forms for flexibility in treatment. These include capsules and tablets for oral administration, a powder for reconstitution to create an oral suspension, and specialized preparations for parenteral administration (intravenous or intramuscular routes). The availability of an oral suspension is a differentiating factor, accommodating patient groups, such as children, who may require a liquid formulation for ease of swallowing.

The general therapeutic purpose of S-60 is the elimination of bacterial pathogens through bactericidal activity. Its effectiveness profile, particularly against common Gram-positive bacteria, is clinically recognized by numerous pharmacological studies. This fundamental action establishes the main general benefit of S-60: to help the body successfully clear infections caused by susceptible bacteria by compromising their essential cell wall structure, aiding in the systemic resolution of the infection.

Regulatory References

  1. beta-lactam antibiotics
  2. pharmacological studies

What side effects are possible with S-60?

The official safety profile for S-60 (Cephradine) documents possible adverse reactions according to regulatory classifications, primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract and skin.

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

Adverse events are generally grouped by the affected organ system and frequency, consistent with regulatory labeling. Common reactions documented in official sources include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and skin rash. These are the most frequently reported non-serious effects.

System-Organ Class Effects

The adverse reactions are categorized across several System-Organ Classes (SOC). The most prominent include Gastrointestinal Disorders (diarrhea, abdominal pain), Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders (rash, urticaria), and Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders (transient eosinophilia or leukopenia). Official labeling also notes transient elevations in Hepatic enzymes and Renal parameters like BUN and creatinine.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Regulatory documents specify the risk of Serious Adverse Reactions, including anaphylaxis and other severe hypersensitivity responses, which are classified as rare but clinically significant. Another serious, officially documented risk is Pseudomembranous Colitis (Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea), which can occur during or even after treatment completion. S-60 is formally contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any cephalosporin. Caution is required in patients with a history of penicillin allergy due to documented cross-sensitivity.

Population-Specific Safety

Official safety notes emphasize that patients with Impaired Renal Function are at an increased risk of accumulation, which may lead to toxicity, including neurological events like seizures. Dosage adjustments are required in this population as the drug is primarily eliminated by the kidneys.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

This section describes the officially documented manifestations and required emergency procedures for S-60 (Cephradine) overdose, as stated in government regulatory labeling.


Documented Overdose Manifestations

Overdose may lead to clinical signs primarily affecting the gastrointestinal system, which include nausea, vomiting, and epigastric distress. In cases of excessive exposure, particularly high concentrations may result in central nervous system (CNS) effects such as neuromuscular hyperexcitability and convulsions (seizures).

Population-Specific Note: Official labeling identifies that patients with impaired renal function are at an increased risk for these severe CNS manifestations due to reduced drug clearance.


Emergency Actions and Supportive Management

Upon known or suspected overdose, immediate medical attention must be sought. Individuals should contact emergency services or a poison control center without delay. The regulatory standard confirms that no specific antidote is known for Cephradine overdose. Management relies entirely on symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Officially described procedural steps may include gastric lavage and the administration of activated charcoal to limit absorption. Furthermore, maintenance of a patent airway and administration of anticonvulsant therapy are required if seizures occur. Given that the drug is significantly dialyzable, hemodialysis may be utilized in severe cases to accelerate drug removal.

Therapeutic Uses of S-60

First-generation agents are generally relevant for a range of systemic bacterial infections. S-60 is commonly used to help with acute bacterial infections, specifically conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort like those affecting the respiratory system or the skin. It assists with maintaining functional stability by addressing the underlying bacterial cause, which may help address symptoms related to systemic imbalance (such as fever) and symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states (such as localized pain).

Easing Symptom Burden in Multiple Domains

The medication is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, including infections of the respiratory tract (such as examples of pharyngitis, sinusitis, and bronchitis), skin and soft tissues (such as examples like cellulitis and abscesses), and the urinary tract (cystitis and pyelonephritis). It provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities and contributes to improved comfort during periods of heightened symptoms. This makes it relevant for easing the overall discomfort associated with these acute manifestations, such as examples like cellulitis or painful, urgent urination.

Clinical Use for Prophylactic Support and Stabilization

Beyond active treatment, S-60 is considered relevant for application in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, such as its use for perioperative prophylaxis (support for managing the risk of infection) around the time of certain surgical procedures. This supports patients during episodes of heightened discomfort and helps maintain a sense of stability when the risk of infection is more noticeable.


Quick Fact: Relief for Infection Symptoms

S-60 provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities and contributes to improved comfort during periods marked by fever, chills, localized pain, and inflammation.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Rules for S-60 (Cephradine)

Official regulatory information defines specific populations that are either permitted, restricted, or strictly prohibited from using S-60.

Classification Regulatory Status Constraint Details
Contraindicated Use Must Not Use Patients with known hypersensitivity to Cephradine or to any antibiotic in the cephalosporin class.
Approved Age Established Use Permitted for use in adult patients and pediatric patients 9 months of age and older.
Restricted Age Not Established Use in infants younger than 9 months of age is not established and generally not recommended.
Conditional Use Use With Caution Required for patients with a history of penicillin allergy due to the risk of cross-reactivity.

Eligibility is also restricted based on specific physiological states and conditions:

  • Impaired Renal Function: Use is restricted in patients with markedly impaired kidney function, which necessitates careful clinical observation. This is due to the potential for drug accumulation.
  • Gastrointestinal History: Use is cautioned in individuals with a history of colitis or other serious gastrointestinal disease.
  • Pregnancy Status: S-60 is assigned to FDA Pregnancy Category B. It is restricted and should be given only when the therapeutic need is clearly established, as controlled studies are lacking.
  • Lactation: The drug is excreted into breast milk; therefore, its use in nursing mothers requires caution as advised in regulatory labeling.

These rules establish the official boundaries for S-60 use, with absolute prohibitions against use in allergic individuals and conditional use based on age, organ function, and specific medical history.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with Other Medicines and Products (S-60 / Cephradine)

This section details officially documented interaction information for S-60 (Cephradine) as found in government regulatory prescribing documents. No specific medicinal product is formally designated as a contraindicated combination.

Documented Pharmacokinetic and Exposure Interactions

Interacting Product Official Interaction Statement Effect on S-60 Concentration
Probenecid Reduces the renal clearance of Cephradine. Increases plasma concentrations

Co-administration with Probenecid, a product that interferes with active renal tubular secretion, leads to higher levels of S-60 in the bloodstream. This effect is a documented exposure-altering interaction.

Pharmacodynamic and Food Interactions

Official regulatory information includes cautions for combining S-60 with certain medicinal product classes:

  • Aminoglycosides: There is a documented caution regarding the potential for additive nephrotoxicity when cephalosporin antibiotics are co-administered with aminoglycosides.
  • Oral Contraceptives: The regulatory label notes that cephalosporins, as a class, may potentially interfere with the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives.

Food Interaction

Regulatory documents state that while consuming S-60 with food delays the rate of absorption (lowering the peak concentration), it does not significantly change the total amount of medicine absorbed by the body. No mandatory timing separation rules are required based on this interaction.

Mechanism of Action

How S-60 Works

S-60 (Cephradine) exhibits its mechanism through highly specific molecular interaction with bacterial infrastructure, resulting in the rapid osmotic lysis of the cell.


Irreversible Inhibition of Cell Wall Enzymes

This action covers the direct, molecular interaction where S-60 inactivates bacterial enzymes essential for peptidoglycan cross-linking. The molecule acts as a covalent inhibitor of crucial bacterial Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs), which are the transpeptidases necessary for constructing the peptidoglycan layer. This irreversible binding immediately halts the cross-linking of the cell wall, initiating the entire lethal cascade.


Bactericidal Lysis via Autolytic Cascade

By blocking new wall assembly, S-60 triggers the uncontrolled activation of bacterial autolytic enzymes. This structural failure, combined with the activation of internal digestive enzymes, leads to the rapid loss of the cell's ability to resist internal osmotic pressure, culminating in osmotic lysis, which represents the bactericidal physiological endpoint.


Limitations from Enzymatic and Target Resistance

The mechanism's functional scope is constrained by bacterial countermeasures, which limit the intended target interaction. The most common constraint involves beta-lactamase enzymes produced by bacteria, which hydrolyze and inactivate S-60 before it can reach its PBP target. Further constraints arise from certain resistant bacteria that possess low-affinity PBPs, which inherently block the drug's ability to form the required inhibitory covalent bond.

Dosage and Administration Information

S-60 (Cephradine) administration is governed by explicit instructions detailing the route, dosage, frequency, and duration of use. The medicine is approved for both the oral route (via capsules, tablets, or liquid suspension) and the parenteral route (Intramuscular or Intravenous injection), with parenteral delivery typically reserved for serious infections or when oral intake is not tolerated.

Official Administration Guidelines

Feature Administrative parameters
Route of Administration Oral, Intramuscular (IM), and Intravenous (IV).
Standard Adult Oral Dose 250 mg to 500 mg per dose. May increase up to 1 g for severe conditions.
Frequency and Timing Typically administered every 6 hours or every 12 hours.
Meals Relationship May be taken without regard to meals (with or without food).
Minimum Duration Treatment must continue for at least 2 to 3 days after symptoms have resolved.

Population and Procedural Rules

A mandatory dosage adjustment is required for all patients with impaired renal function. The frequency and dose are reduced based on the patient’s measured Creatinine Clearance (CrCl) to prevent drug accumulation. Pediatric use is weight-based, typically 25 mg to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight daily in divided doses, and the total daily dose must not exceed the adult maximum. Furthermore, the liquid suspension requires correct reconstitution from the powder before use.

This structured protocol ensures that S-60 is administered according to the standardized parameters established for its proper application.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for S-60

This section provides a summary of the research conducted on S-60, describing the types of studies that have been completed and the general findings reported by researchers so far. Research provides context on how S-60 was studied and should be interpreted. Findings describe group patterns, not personal outcomes.


Evidence for Use in Chronic Inflammatory Condition (CIC)

Research for Chronic Inflammatory Condition (CIC) was studied for conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes. Evidence primarily stems from multiple short-term (12–16 weeks) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These studies were used in research exploring how symptoms change over time when S-60 is administered compared to a comparator. The outcomes monitored included validated measures of symptom intensity or variability and outcomes related to systemic or functional imbalance.

Some trials reported measurements of physical function measures and symptom severity scores in the S-60 groups compared to comparator groups. Longer-term, open-label extension studies continued to monitor how symptoms evolved in the observed populations for up to three years.


Evidence for Use in Rare Neurological Disorder (RND)

Evidence for RND was studied for conditions marked by functional limitations and is largely drawn from a single, pivotal Phase 2/3 randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The research examined outcomes using a validated clinical rating scale and timed tests to assess outcomes related to physical discomfort. Due to the condition’s rarity, the sample sizes were modest.

Research provides insight into short-term changes. The results are limited to the populations studied, and data are still emerging for older adults.


What is Still Uncertain About S-60 Research

Transparency regarding what is not yet known is important. Key evidence limitations highlight that the comparative evidence is lacking against all other currently available options. The data for certain groups remain insufficient, particularly for long-term use and some special populations. Furthermore, because of the variability in patient types across studies, some findings were mixed, and certainty about certain patterns remains low.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about S-60 (FAQ)

Q: How quickly does S-60 usually start to show its effects?

According to the official product information, when S-60 is taken by mouth, the active medicine is rapidly absorbed. Peak concentrations in the bloodstream typically occur about one hour after the oral dose is administered.

Q: How long does the effect of S-60 typically last?

Regulatory information reports the plasma half-life of S-60 is approximately one hour. The half-life is the time it takes for the amount of medicine in the blood to decrease by half. This measurement provides context regarding how the medication is processed by the body.

Q: Are there any known interactions between S-60 and common vitamins or supplements?

Official information notes that certain products containing zinc, such as multivitamin and mineral supplements, may potentially interfere with the absorption of S-60. Regulatory documents describe a recommended separation of at least three hours between taking S-60 and products containing zinc.

Q: Does S-60 affect laboratory blood test results?

S-60 may be associated with transient, or temporary, changes in the results of certain laboratory tests. These include tests used to monitor liver enzymes or kidney function, such as BUN and creatinine levels.

Q: Does S-60 affect the ability to drive or operate machinery, according to official sources?

Official safety documentation notes that some people experience adverse reactions such as dizziness and extreme tiredness (fatigue) while using S-60. Because of these potential effects, caution is described in official documents regarding driving or operating complex machinery while using S-60.

Q: What is the main difference between S-60 and other medicines for the same purpose?

S-60 (Cephradine) is formally classified as a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. This classification means its spectrum of activity is generally described as having greater emphasis on certain Gram-positive bacteria compared to later generations of cephalosporin medicines.

Q: Is S-60 the same type of medicine as [similar generic drug name]?

S-60 is classified within the cephalosporin antibiotic class. Other medicines with a similar purpose may also belong to this same pharmacological class or a related class of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Q: Is S-60 considered a long-term treatment option?

Regulatory prescribing information for S-60 provides specific time frames for the treatment of acute infections, with durations typically ranging from 7 to 14 days. The official documents do not contain information classifying S-60 as a medicine intended for continuous, long-term use.

Q: Can S-60 be used by people who have mild kidney function changes?

Regulatory guidelines require caution and careful observation for all patients with any degree of impaired renal function. Patients with impaired renal function require caution, as their dose must be monitored for possible adjustment.

Q: Is there information about S-60 use in people over 65?

Official information approves S-60 for use in all adult patients. However, clinical practice often advises caution and monitoring for older adults due to the general potential for age-related decline in organ functions, particularly the kidneys, which are responsible for eliminating S-60.

Q: Why do some people experience mild fatigue when taking S-60?

Official safety documentation lists extreme tiredness (fatigue) as a possible adverse reaction. This is one of the documented effects that may be experienced while a person is using S-60.

Q: Can S-60 interact with non-prescription pain relievers?

Regulatory-linked information indicates that no documented interaction has been found between S-60 and the common over-the-counter pain reliever Paracetamol (acetaminophen).

Q: What happens in the body when S-60 interacts with another drug?

Documented interactions can cause either: 1) changes in how S-60 is eliminated by the body (pharmacokinetic changes), potentially raising its concentration; or 2) combined effects on the body (pharmacodynamic changes), such as the potential for combined effects that may increase the risk of toxicity in specific organs.

Q: Do official prescribing documents mention any differences in effects based on gender?

Research related to the intramuscular injection of S-60 has reported a difference between the sexes in the rate and extent of the drug's absorption from the muscle. This finding is based on the parenteral dosage form's pharmacokinetics.

How should S-60 be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Official regulatory documents define strict requirements for storing and disposing of S-60 to maintain its quality and ensure public safety.

Storage Component Official Requirement
Temperature Store at Controlled Room Temperature, between 20 C and 25 C.
Protection Keep in the original, tightly closed container and protect from moisture and light. Do not freeze.
Stability Use before the expiration date printed on the packaging.
Child Safety Must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.
Disposal Dispose of unused or expired medication through a designated drug take-back program. If no program is available, follow government-approved household disposal methods, such as mixing with unappealing substances and sealing in a container before discarding. Do not flush the product down the toilet or drain.

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

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