Vercef (cefaclor)

Vercef (cefaclor) MR is indicated in the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated organisms:

Acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase producing strains), Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains) and Staphylococcus aureus.

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci).

Pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae (including beta-lactamase producing strains) and M. catarrhalis (including beta-lactamase producing strains).

Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections, including cystitis and asymptomatic bacteriuria, caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Skin and skin structure infections caused by S. pyogenes (group A streptococci), S. aureus (including beta-lactamase producing strains) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (including beta-lactamase producing strains).

Bacteriological studies, to determine the causative organism and its susceptibility to cefaclor, should be performed. Therapy may be started while awaiting the results of these studies. Once these results become available, antimicrobial therapy should be adjusted accordingly.

Note: Vercef (cefaclor) MR is generally effective in the eradication of streptococci from the oropharynx. However, data establishing the efficacy of this antibiotic in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available.

Posology

Adults and the elderly:

Pharyngitis, tonsillitis, skin and skin structure infections: 375mg twice daily.

Lower urinary tract infections: 375mg twice daily or 500mg once daily.

Bronchitis: 375mg or 500mg twice daily

Pneumonia: 750mg twice daily.

In clinical trials, doses of 1.5g/day of Vercef (cefaclor) MR have been administered safely for 14 days. Doses of 4g/day of cefaclor have been administered safely, to normal subjects, for 28 days.

Elderly subjects with normal renal function do not require dosage adjustment.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Vercef (cefaclor) MR in children have not been established. No data are available.

Cefaclor suspensions are available (see Vercef (cefaclor) data sheet for dosages).

In the treatment of infections caused by S. pyogenes (group A streptococci), a therapeutic dosage should be administered for at least 10 days.

Method of administration

Vercef (cefaclor) MR is administered orally

Vercef (cefaclor) MR is well absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. Since absorption is enhanced by administration with food, Vercef (cefaclor) MR should be taken with meals.

The tablets should not be cut, crushed or chewed. There is no evidence of metabolism in humans.

Hypersensitivity to other cephalosporins.

Warnings

Before instituting therapy with cefaclor, every effort should be made to determine whether the patient has had previous hypersensitivity reactions to the cephalosporins, penicillins or other drugs. Cefaclor should be given cautiously to penicillin-sensitive patients and to any patient who has demonstrated some form of allergy, particularly to drugs.

If an allergic reaction to cefaclor occurs, the drug should be discontinued and the patient treated with the appropriate agents.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with virtually all broad-spectrum antibiotics, including macrolides, semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins. It is important, therefore, to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhoea in association with the use of antibiotics. Such colitis may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Mild cases usually respond to drug discontinuance alone. In moderate to severe cases, appropriate measures should be taken.

Precautions

Prolonged use of cefaclor may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. If superinfection occurs during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken.

A false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine may occur with Benedict's or Fehling's solutions or with copper sulphate test tablets.

Not relevant.

The majority of adverse reactions observed in clinical trials of Vercef (cefaclor) MR were mild and transient. Drug-related adverse reactions requiring discontinuation of therapy occurred in 1.7% of patients. The following adverse reactions were reported in clinical trials. Incidence rates were less than 1 in 100 (less than 1%), except as stated:

Gastro-intestinal: Diarrhoea (3.4%), nausea (2.5%), vomiting and dyspepsia.

Hypersensitivity: Rash, urticaria or pruritus occurred in approximately 1.7% of patients. One serum sickness-like reaction (0.03%) was reported among the 3,272 patients treated with Vercef (cefaclor) MR during the controlled clinical trials.

Serum sickness-like reactions (erythema multiforme minor, rashes or other skin manifestations accompanied by arthritis/arthralgia, with or without fever) have been reported with cefaclor. Lymphadenopathy and proteinuria are infrequent, there are no circulating immune complexes and no evidence of sequelae. Occasionally, solitary symptoms may occur, but do not represent a serum sickness-like reaction. Serum sickness-like reactions are apparently due to hypersensitivity and have usually occurred during or following a second (or subsequent) course of therapy with cefaclor. Such reactions have been reported more frequently in children than in adults. Signs and symptoms usually occur a few days after initiation of therapy and usually subside within a few days of cessation of therapy. Antihistamines and corticosteroids appear to enhance resolution of the syndrome. No serious sequelae have been reported.

Haematological and lymphatic systems: Eosinophilia.

Genitourinary: Vaginal moniliasis (2.5%) and vaginitis (1.7%).

The following adverse effects have been reported, but causal relationship is uncertain:

Central nervous system: Headache, dizziness and somnolence. Hepatic: Transient elevations in AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase. Renal: Transient increase in BUN or creatinine.

Laboratory tests: Transient thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, lymphocytosis, neutropenia and abnormal urinalysis.

In addition to the adverse reactions listed above that have been observed in patients taking Vercef (cefaclor) MR, the following have been reported in patients treated with cefaclor:

Erythema multiforme, fever, anaphylaxis (may be more common in patients with a history of penicillin allergy), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, positive direct Coombs' test and genital pruritus. Symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis may appear either during or after antibiotic treatment. Anaphylactoid events may present as solitary symptoms, including angioedema, asthenia, oedema (including face and limbs), dyspnoea, paraesthesias, syncope, orvasodilatation.

Rarely, hypersensitivity symptoms may persist for several months.

The following reactions have been reported rarely in patients treated with cefaclor:

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, reversible interstitial nephritis, hepatic dysfunction, including cholestasis, increased prothrombin time in patients receiving cefaclor and warfarin concomitantly, reversible hyperactivity, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, hypertonia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis and haemolytic anaemia.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in patients treated with other beta-lactam antibiotics:

Colitis, renal dysfunction and toxic nephropathy.

Several beta-lactam antibiotics have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment when the dosage was not reduced. If seizures associated with drug therapy should occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continues monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress and diarrhoea would be anticipated.

General management consists of supportive therapy. Consider activated charcoal instead of, or in addition to, gastric emptying.

Forced diuresis, peritoneal dialysis, haemodialysis or charcoal haemoperfusion have not been established as beneficial.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Second-generation cephalosporins antibiotics, ATC code: J01DC04

Vercef (cefaclor) MR has been shown to be active in vitro against most strains of the following organisms, although clinical efficacy has not been established:

Gram-negative organisms:

Citrobacter diversus

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Anaerobic organisms:

Propionibacterium acnes

Bacteroides species (excluding Bacteroides fragilis)

Peptococci

Peptostreptococci

Note: Pseudomonas sp, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, most strains of enterococci, Enterobacter sp, indole-positive Proteus and Serratia sp are resistant to cefaclor. Cefaclor is inactive against methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Using the NCCLS recommended methods for sensitivity testing, the criteria for dilution methods are:

and for the standard disc test, using a 30 microgram cefaclor disc (zone diameters)

Cefaclor is a semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic.

Following administration of 375mg, 500mg and 750mg tablets to fed subjects, average peak serum concentrations of 4, 8 and 11 micrograms/ml respectively, were obtained within 2.5 to 3 hours. No drug accumulation was noted when this was given twice daily.

Plasma half-life in healthy subjects is independent of dosage form and averages 1 hour. Elderly subjects with normal, mildly diminished renal function, do not require dosage adjustment, since higher peak plasma concentrations and AUC had no apparent clinical significance.

There is no evidence of metabolism in humans.

There are no pre-clinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.

Not applicable.

No special requirements for disposal

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements