More from Septa
Other strengths and forms by Doctor's Chemicals Works Ltd.
Indications & Uses
Pharmacology
Cephradine is a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotic that works against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It is effective against staphylococci whether or not they produce penicillinase. Cephradine acts mainly on the bacterial cell wall, which is built from peptidoglycan in susceptible organisms. By blocking the cross-linking of peptidoglycan strands, it leaves the cell wall riddled with gaps; the resulting external osmotic pressure then causes the bacterial cell to burst.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
For oral use in adults, urinary tract infections are treated with 500mg four times daily, or 1g twice daily. Severe or chronic infections may call for higher doses, and complications such as prostatitis or epididymitis require continued intensive treatment. Respiratory tract infections are treated with 250 to 500mg four times daily, or 500mg to 1g twice daily, depending on the site and severity of infection. Skin and soft tissue infections are treated with the same range, 250 to 500mg four times daily or 500mg to 1g twice daily, again depending on the site and severity of infection.
For children, the total daily dose is 25 to 50mg per kg of body weight, given in two to four equally divided doses. For otitis media, the total daily dose is 75 to 100mg per kg of body weight, divided into doses given every 6 to 12 hours. The maximum daily dosage is 4gm.
For elderly patients, the normal adult dose is appropriate, though those with impaired renal or hepatic function should be monitored during treatment.
For injectable administration in adults, the usual dose is 2 to 4gm daily, given in four equally divided doses, up to a maximum of 8gm daily. For prophylaxis, a single preoperative dose of 1 to 2gm is given intramuscularly or intravenously. In children, the dose is 50 to 100mg per kg of body weight daily, given in four equally divided doses, up to 300mg per kg daily in severe infections.
Side Effects
Limited essentially to gastro-intestinal disturbances and, on occasion, hypersensitivity reactions. These are more likely in people who have previously shown hypersensitivity, and in those with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever or urticaria. Skin reactions have occasionally been reported. Rarely seen: glossitis, heartburn, dizziness, tightness in the chest, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vaginitis, candida overgrowth. Skin and hypersensitivity reactions include urticaria, skin rashes, joint pains, oedema. Blood and lymphatic system disorders, frequency unknown: blood disorders including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia and haemolytic anaemia. Immune system disorders, frequency unknown: fever, serum sickness like reactions, anaphylaxis. Psychiatric disorders, frequency unknown: confusion, sleep disturbances. Nervous system disorders, frequency unknown: hyperactivity, hypertonia, dizziness, nervousness; rarely, headache. Hepatobiliary disorders, frequency unknown: liver enzyme disturbances, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice. Renal and urinary disorders, frequency unknown: reversible interstitial nephritis. Investigations, frequency unknown: elevation of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Prolonged use of any anti-infective can allow resistant organisms to take over, leading to a superinfection. Because penicillins and cephalosporins are both beta-lactam antibiotics, there is a risk of cross-sensitivity between them, so Ceframax should be used cautiously in patients with a penicillin allergy. Cephalosporin antibiotics can cause a false positive on Coombs' testing. If a newborn's mother received cephalosporins before delivery, a positive Coombs' test in the baby may simply reflect the drug rather than a true problem. Ceframax can also give a false positive urine glucose reading with copper-reduction methods such as Benedict's or Fehling's solution, or tablets like Clinitest; enzyme-based tests (e.g. Clinistix, Diastix) are not affected. The dose needs to be adjusted in patients with impaired kidney function. Ceframax also contains lactose, so it should be avoided by patients with rare hereditary conditions such as galactose intolerance, the Lapp form of lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Contraindications
Cephradine should not be given to anyone who is known or suspected to be hypersensitive to cephalosporin antibiotics.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Although animal studies have shown no evidence of teratogenicity, cephradine's safety in pregnancy has not been firmly established. The medicine does pass into breast milk, so it should be used cautiously by breastfeeding mothers. It can also cause dizziness in some patients, so anyone taking it should be careful when driving or operating heavy machinery.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
If someone takes too much Sefrad (cephradine), the symptoms aren't specific to it. They are usually nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and an upset stomach. Treatment is mainly supportive, but if a large amount has been swallowed, gastric lavage will be needed.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Cephradine Suspension should be freshly prepared. Once reconstituted, use it within 7 days if you keep it at room temperature, or within 14 days if you keep it in a refrigerator. Cephradine Injection solutions should be used within 2 hours when kept at room temperature. At 5°C, the solutions keep their potency for 12 hours. Reconstituted solutions can range in colour from light to straw yellow, but this doesn't affect the potency. Don't use the medicine after the expiry date. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. It should be dispensed only on the prescription of a registered physician.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Septa 125 mg
What is Septa 125 mg Powder For Suspension?
Septa 125 mg Powder For Suspension is a medicine that contains Cephradine. It is made by Doctor's Chemicals Works Ltd. It belongs to the First generation cephalosporins group of medicines.
What is Septa used for?
Septa is used for: Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Urinary Tract Infection, Respiratory Tract Infection, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection, Viral Infection, Otitis Media.
What are the side effects of Septa?
Limited essentially to gastro-intestinal disturbances and, on occasion, hypersensitivity reactions. These are more likely in people who have previously shown hypersensitivity, and in those with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever or urticaria.
Can I take Septa during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Although animal studies have shown no evidence of teratogenicity, cephradine's safety in pregnancy has not been firmly established. The medicine does pass into breast milk, so it should be used cautiously by breastfeeding mothers. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Septa?
If someone takes too much Sefrad (cephradine), the symptoms aren't specific to it. They are usually nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and an upset stomach. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Septa?
Cephradine Suspension should be freshly prepared. Once reconstituted, use it within 7 days if you keep it at room temperature, or within 14 days if you keep it in a refrigerator.
Can I take other medicines with Septa?
Some medicines can interact with Cephradine, for example: Frusemide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Septa?
Septa is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.