Cefprozil; Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions

Cefprozil Anhydrous is the anhydrous form of cefprozil, a semisynthetic, broad-spectrum, second-generation cephalosporin with antibacterial activity. Cefprozil binds to and inactivates penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located on the inner membrane of the bacterial cell wall. PBPs are enzymes involved in the terminal stages of assembling the bacterial cell wall and in reshaping the cell wall during growth and division. Inactivation of PBPs interferes with the cross-linkage of peptidoglycan chains necessary for bacterial cell wall strength and rigidity. This results in the weakening of the bacterial cell wall and causes cell lysis.[1]It is a second-generation cephalosporin-type antibiotic. In Europe, it is marketed using the trade names Process and Cronocef. It can be used to treat bronchitis, ear infections, skin infections, and other bacterial infections.

Mechanism of Action of Cefprozil

Cefprozil, like the penicillins, is a beta-lactam antibiotic. By binding to specific penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall, it inhibits the third and last stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis. Cell lysis is then mediated by bacterial cell wall autolytic enzymes such as autolysins; it is possible that cefprozil interferes with an autolysin inhibitor. Cefprozil, a semisynthetic, second-generation cephalosporin, is used to treat otitis media, soft-tissue infections, and respiratory tract infections.

Indications of Cefprozil

• Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis 
• Bladder Infection
• Kidney Infections
• Bronchitis
• Otitis Media
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis
• Skin or soft tissue infection
• Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Bacterial infections
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Streptococcal pharyngitis
• Streptococcal tonsillitis
• Urinary tract Infections 
• Uncomplicated skin and subcutaneous tissue bacterial infections

Contra-Indications of Cefprozil

• Clostridium difficile infection
• The decrease in the Blood-Clotting Protein Prothrombin
• severe renal impairment
• Liver problems
• Interstitial Nephritis
• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Allergies cephalosporins & beta-lactams

Dosages of Cefprozil

Strengths:  250 mg; 500 mg, 125 mg/5 mL; 250 mg/5 mL;

Bronchitis

• 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Cystitis

• 500 mg orally every 24 hours for 3 to 7 days

Otitis Media

• 500 mg orally every 24 hours for 5 to 10 days

Pneumonia

• Community-acquired pneumonia, nonhospitalized patients: 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 7 to 21 days, depending on the nature and severity of the pneumonia

Pyelonephritis

• Uncomplicated: 500 mg orally every 12 to 24 hours for 14 days

Sinusitis

• 250 to 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days

Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

• 250 to 500 mg orally every 12 hours for 10 days or 500 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

• 500 mg orally every 24 hours for 10 days

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

• 500 mg orally every 12 to 24 hours for 10 to 14 days

Pediatric

Otitis Media

• 6 months to 12 years: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days; do not exceed 1 g/day
• 13 years or older: Adult dose

Sinusitis

• 2 to 12 years: 7.5 to 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days; do not exceed 1 g/day
• 13 years or older: Adult dose

Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

• 2 to 12 years: 20 mg/kg orally every 24 hours for 10 days; do not exceed 1 g/day

13 years or older: Adult dose

Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

• 2 to 12 years: 7.5 mg/kg orally every 12 hours for 10 days; do not exceed 1 g/day13 years or older

Side Effects of Cefprozil

The most common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal or stomach pain, discomfort, or tenderness
• Severe stomach ache
• Severe diarrhea
• Vaginal thrush
• Skin rash
• Headache
• chest pain
• constipation
• cough
• diarrhea or loose stools
• difficulty with breathing
• dizziness
• heartburn
• muscle pain

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain, discomfort, or tenderness
• chills or fever
• difficulty with moving
• headache, severe and throbbing
• joint or back pain
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pains or stiffness
• chest pressure or squeezing pain in chest
• discomfort in arms, shoulders, neck or upper back
• excessive sweating
• feeling of heaviness, pain, warmth and/or swelling in a leg or in the pelvis
• sudden tingling or coldness in an arm or leg
• sudden slow or difficult speech
• sudden drowsiness or need to sleep
• fast breathing
• sharp pain when taking a deep breath
• fast or slow heartbeat
• coughing up blood
• rust colored urine
• decreased amount of urine

Rare

• Anxiety
• change in vision
• seizures
• abnormal or fast heart rate
• tremors
• weight loss
• chest pain or tightness
• confusion
• cough
• Agitation
• arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• convulsions
• extra heartbeats
• fainting
• hallucinations
• a headache
• irritability
• lightheadedness
• mood or mental changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities

Drug Interactions of Cefprozil

Cefprozil may interact with following drugs, supplements, & may change the efficacy of drugs

• aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin)
• probenecid
• typhoid vaccine
• ibuprofen
• amoxicillin
• Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin) 
• Diphenhydramine
• Rosuvastatin
• Duloxetine
• Albuterol
• Topiramate
• Carbamazepine
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Alprazolam
• Cetirizine

Pregnancy Catagory

FDA Pregnancy Category  B

Pregnancy

It is not known if cefprozil is safe for use by pregnant women. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Lactation

This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breastfeeding mother and are taking cefprozil, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breastfeeding. It is not known if cefprozil is safe for children under 6 months of age.

References

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