Dicef 250 mg (Capsule)

Indications

• Treatment of infections caused by sensitive Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
• Upper respiratory tract infections: sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngo-tracheo bronchitis, otitis media
• Lower respiratory tract infections: bronchitis (acute and chronic), lobar pneumonia, bronchopneumonia
• Urinary tract infections: cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis
• Skin and soft tissue infections: abscess, cellulitis, furunculosis, impetigo

Pharmacology

• Semisynthetic broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotic
• Active against both gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms
• Inhibits cross-linking process in cell wall of bacteria

Dosage & Administration

• Oral administration for adults: urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections
• Oral administration for children: urinary tract infections, otitis media, max daily dosage 4 gm
• Injectable administration for adults and children
• Dosage adjustment necessary in renal impairment

Interaction

• Concomitant use of nephrotoxic drugs may increase risk of kidney damage
• Diuretics and probenecid enhance possibility of renal toxicity

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins

Side Effects

• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Hypersensitivity phenomena
• Skin reactions
• Blood disorders, immune system disorders, psychiatric disorders, nervous system disorders, hepatobiliary disorders, renal and urinary disorders
• Elevation of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, liver enzyme disturbances

Pregnancy & Lactation

• No demonstrated teratogenicity in animal studies
• Excreted in breast milk
• Caution in lactating mothers
• May cause dizziness

Precautions & Warnings

• Prolonged use may result in superinfection
• Administer with care to patients hypersensitive to penicillins
• May cause a false positive urine glucose result
• Dosage adjustment necessary in renal impairment
• Contains lactose, not for patients with galactose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption

Use in Special Populations

• Recommended doses for patients not on haemodialysis and on chronic, intermittent haemodialysis
• Higher doses may be required for chronic or severe infections
• Regular bacteriological and clinical monitoring required for chronic urinary tract infections
• Paediatric dosages not to exceed those specified for adults

Overdose Effects

• Non-specific symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastric upsets
• Treatment mainly supportive, gastric lavage may be necessary

Therapeutic Class

• First generation Cephalosporins

Storage Conditions

• Suspension should be freshly prepared
• Reconstituted Suspension to be used within 7-14 days
• Injection solutions to be used within 2 hours at room temperature, retain potency for 12 hours at 5°C
• Expired medicines to be disposed properly, out of the reach of children

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