Cefaclor, sold under the trade name Ceclor among others, is a second-generation cephalosporinantibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections such as pneumonia and infections of the ear, lung, skin, throat, and urinary tract. It is also available from other manufacturers as a generic.[1]
It was patented in 1973 and approved for medical use in 1979.[2]
Cefaclor is frequently used against bacteria responsible for causing skin infections, otitis media, urinary tract infections, and others.
Cefaclor has been shown to be active against most strains of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections: Gram positive aerobes - Staphylococci (including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative, and penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci).
[3]
The following represents MIC susceptibility data for a few medically significant microorganisms.
Cautions include known sensitivity to beta-lactam antibacterials, such as penicillins (Cefaclor should be avoided if there is a history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction); renal impairment (no dose adjustment required, although manufacturer advises caution); pregnancy and breast-feeding (but appropriate to use); false positive urinary glucose (if tested for reducing substances) and false positive Coombs test. Cefaclor has also been reported to cause a serum sickness-like reaction in children.[5][6]
Cefaclor is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity (i.e. allergy) to cephalosporins.[citation needed]
Side effects
Skin allergy to cefaclor
The principal side effect of the cephalosporins is hypersensitivity. Penicillin-sensitive patients may also be allergic to the cephalosporins, depending on the side chain and it's relation to the penicillin allergy. Most patients with penicillin allergy can tolerate the majority of cephalosporins without allergic reactions. The previous percentage of 10% cross reactivity rates are a gross overestimation.[7] Allergic reactions may present as, for example, rashes, pruritus (itching), urticaria, serum sickness-like reactions with rashes, fever and arthralgia, and anaphylaxis. The frequency and severity of serum sickness-like reactions in children has led researchers to question its role in pediatric illness.[8] Other side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g. diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal discomfort, disturbances in liver enzymes, transient hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice), headache, and Stevens–Johnson syndrome. Rare side effects include eosinophilia and blood disorders (including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia); reversible interstitial nephritis; hyperactivity, nervousness, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, confusion, hypertonia, and dizziness. Toxic epidermal necrolysis has been reported. In the UK, The Committee on the Safety of Medicines (CSM) has warned that the risk of diarrhea and rarely antibiotic-associated colitis are more likely with higher doses.[citation needed]
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Cefaclor is passed into the breast milk in small quantities, but is generally accepted to be safe to take during breastfeeding.[9] Cefaclor is not known to be harmful in pregnancy.[10]
Interactions
Coumarins
Cephalosporins possibly enhance the anticoagulant effect of coumarins (e.g. Warfarin) - change in patient's clinical condition, particularly associated with liver disease, intercurrent illness, or drug administration, necessitates more frequent testing of INR, and dose adjustment as necessary.[citation needed]
^Hebert AA, Sigman ES, Levy ML (November 1991). "Serum sickness-like reactions from cefaclor in children". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 25 (5 Pt 1): 805–808. doi:10.1016/S0190-9622(08)80973-5. PMID1802903.
^Zagursky RJ, Pichichero ME. Cross-reactivity in β-Lactam Allergy [published correction appears in J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Feb;10(2):651]
^King BA, Geelhoed GC (December 2003). "Adverse skin and joint reactions associated with oral antibiotics in children: the role of cefaclor in serum sickness-like reactions". Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 39 (9): 677–681. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00267.x. PMID14629499. S2CID25762196.
^Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G (May 1993). "Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 168 (5): 1393–1399. doi:10.1016/s0002-9378(11)90771-6. PMID8498418.
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