Cefaclor

INTRODUCTION

Indications

Treatment of the following infections caused by susceptible organisms: Respiratory tract infections; Skin and skin structure infections; Urinary tract infections; Otitis media.

Action

Binds to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death. Therapeutic Effects: Bactericidal action against susceptible bacteria. Spectrum: Similar to that of first-generation cephalosporins but has increased activity against several other gram-negative pathogens, including Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis. Not active against methicillin-resistant staphylococci or enterococci.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

CNS: SEIZURES (VERY HIGH DOSES). GI: PSEUDOMEMBRANOUS COLITIS, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. Derm: rashes, urticaria. Hemat: agranulocytosis, bleeding, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia. Misc: ALLERGIC REACTIONS, INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS AND SERUM SICKNESS, superinfection.

PHYSICAL THERAPY IMPLICATIONS

Examination and Evaluation

• Watch for seizures; notify physician immediately if patient develops or increases seizure activity.

• Monitor signs of pseudomembranous colitis, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, pus or mucus in stools, and other severe or prolonged GI problems (nausea, vomiting, heartburn). Notify physician or nursing staff immediately of these signs.

• Monitor signs of allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, including pulmonary symptoms (tightness in the throat and chest, wheezing, cough dyspnea) or skin reactions (rash, pruritus, urticaria). Notify physician or nursing staff immediately if these reactions occur.

• Assess muscle aches and joint pain (arthralgia) that may be caused by serum sickness. Notify physician if these symptoms seem to be drug related rather than caused by musculoskeletal injury or if muscle and joint pain are accompanied by allergy-like reactions (fever, rashes, etc.)

• Monitor signs of blood dyscrasias, including eosinophilia (fatigue, weakness, myalgia), thrombocytopenia (bruising, nose bleeds, bleeding gums, other bleeding problems), hemolytic anemia (malaise, dizziness, jaundice, abdominal pain), and agranulocytosis or neutropenia (fever, sore throat, mucosal lesions, signs of infection, bruising). Report these signs to the physician.

Interventions

• Always wash hands thoroughly and disinfect equipment (whirlpools, electrotherapeutic devices, treatment tables, and so forth) to help prevent the spread of infection. Employ universal precautions or isolation procedures as indicated for specific patients.

Patient/Client-Related Instruction

• Instruct patient to notify physician immediately of signs of superinfection, including black, furry overgrowth on tongue, vaginal itching or discharge, and loose or foul-smelling stools.

• Instruct patient and family/caregivers to report other troublesome side effects such as severe or prolonged skin problems (rash, hives) or GI problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed. Penetration into CSF is poor. Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk in low concentrations.

Metabolism and Excretion: Excreted primarily unchanged by the kidneys.

Half-life: 30–60 min ...