More from Velox
Other strengths and forms by Kemiko Pharmaceuticals 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.
Use in Special Populations
Renal Impairment: The following doses are recommended (based on 500 mg every 6 hours) for patients not on haemodialysis: CrCl: >20 ml/min: 500 mg every 6 hours CrCl: 5-20 ml/min: 250 mg every 6 hours CrCl: <5 ml/min: 250 mg every 50-70 hours. Recommendations for patients on chronic, intermittent haemodialysis: 250 mg at the start of haemodialysis 250 mg 6 to 12 hours after the start 250 mg 36 to 48 hours after the start 250 mg at the start of the next haemodialysis session if more than 30 hours have elapsed since the last dose. Additional Information for all patients Regardless of patient age or weight, higher doses of up to 1 gm four times daily may be required for infections which are chronic or severe. Treatment should continue for at least 2 to 3 days after symptoms have resolved or bacteria have been eradicated. To reduce the possibility of rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis resulting from infections with haemolytic streptococci, treatment should be continued for at least 10 days. Throughout treatment of chronic urinary tract infections and for several months thereafter, regular bacteriological and clinical monitoring is required. Doses below those recommended above should not be prescribed. Paediatric dosages should not exceed those specified for adults, regardless of severity of infection. It may be necessary to continue Cephradine therapy for several weeks in persistent infections. Patients may be transferred from intramuscular/intravenous Cephradine therapy to oral treatment at the same dosage level.
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
Ceframax Suspension should be freshly prepared. Reconstituted Suspension should be used within 7 days if kept at room temperature or within 14 days, if kept in a refrigerator. Ceframax Injection solutions should be used within 2 hours when kept at room temperature. When stored at 5°C, solutions retain potency for 12 hours. Reconstituted solutions may vary in colour from light to straw yellow; however, this does not affect the potency. Do not use later than the date of expiry. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. To be dispensed only on the prescription of a registered physician
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Velox 125 mg
What is Velox 125 mg Powder For Suspension?
Velox 125 mg Powder For Suspension is a medicine that contains Cephradine. It is made by Kemiko Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the First generation cephalosporins group of medicines.
What is Velox used for?
Velox 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 Velox?
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 Velox 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 Velox?
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 Velox?
Ceframax Suspension should be freshly prepared. Reconstituted Suspension should be used within 7 days if kept at room temperature or within 14 days, if kept in a refrigerator.
Can I take other medicines with Velox?
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 Velox?
Velox is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.