Cefradine:

• A 1^st generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

• Bactericidal

• Usual adult dose: up to 2g per day in 2-4 divided doses.

• Good activity against Gram positive organisms.

• Reasonable bioavailability when given orally.

• Adjust dose if severe renal impairment

• IV and oral preparations available, though IV use restricted to surgical prophylaxis.

• Unaffected by the degrading effects of penicillinase

• Not to be used in patients with a serious penicillin allergy (e.g. anaphylaxis).

Main indications

• Orthopaedic surgical prophylaxis

• Alternative treatment for urinary tract infections

• Alternative agent to flucloxacillin if penicillin allergy. CARE: 10% chance of cross allergy if anaphylaxis to penicillins.

Active against most strains of:

• Staphylococcus aureus (NOT MRSA)

• Haemolytic streptococci

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Escherichia coli (but only for UTI)

Not active against most strains of:

• MRSA

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Enterococcus

• Anaerobes

• Pseudomonas

Page last edited: 09/02/2009

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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