DRUG STUDY

Name of the
Classification Indications Side Effect Nursing Implications
Drug
Frequent: Oral Baseline Assessment:
candidiasis, mild
diarrhea, mild  Obtain CBC, renal
Treatment of abdominal function tests.
susceptible cramping, vaginal  Question for
infections due to candidiasis. history of
S. pneumoniae, S. allergies,
pyogenes, S. Occasional: particularly
Generic Name: aureus, Nausea, serum cephalosporins,
sickness–like penicillins.
CEFACLOR H. influenzae, E. reaction (fever,
Second-generation coli, M. joint pain; usually Interventions:
Brand Names: Cephalosporins, catarrhalis, occurs after
Antibiotic Klebsiella spp., P. second course of  Assess oral cavity
Apo-Cefaclor, mirabilis, therapy and for white patches
Ceclor, Novo- including acute resolves after on mucous
Cefaclor otitis media, drug is membranes,
bronchitis, discontinued). tongue (thrush).
pharyngitis/tonsill  Monitor daily
itis, respiratory Rare: Allergic pattern of bowel
tract, skin/skin reaction (rash, activity, stool
structure, UTIs. pruritus, consistency. Mild
urticaria). GI effects may be
tolerable
(increasing
Mechanism of Contraindication severity may
Dosage Adverse Effects
Action s indicate onset of
Usual Dosage Cephalosporins Contraindicated Adverse effects antibiotic-
such as cefaclor, to patients with may include associated colitis).
Adults and exert bactericidal hstory of antibiotic-  Monitor I&O,
Elderly: 250– activity by hypersensitivity associated colitis renal function tests
500 mg q8h or interfering with the or anaphylactic and other other for nephrotoxicity
500 mg q12h later stages of reaction to superinfections  Be alert for
(extended- bacterial cell wall cefaclor, (abdominal superinfection:
release). synthesis through cephalosporins. cramps, severe fever, vomiting,
inactivation of one watery diarrhea, diarrhea,
Children: 20–40 or more penicillin- Caution should fever) which may anal/genital
mg/kg/day binding proteins also practice to result from pruritus, oral
divided q8–12h. and inhibiting patients with altered bacterial mucosal changes
Maximum: 1 cross-linking of the severe renal balance in GI (ulceration,pain,
g/day. peptidoglycan impairment, tract. erythema).
structure. The history of  With prolonged
Otitis Media cephalosporins are penicillin allergy. Nephrotoxicity therapy, monitor
also thought to play may occur, renal/hepatic
Children: 40 a role in the Extended release especially in
mg/kg/day activation of not approved in patients with
 function tests.
preexisting renal Patient teaching:
disease.
divided q12h.  Doses should be
Patients with evenly spaced.
Maximum: 1
history of
g/day.  Continue therapy
penicillin allergy
bacterical cell for full length of
are also at
Pharyngitis autolysins which treatment.
children younger increased risk for
may contribute to  May cause GI
than 16 yrs. developing a
Children: 20 bacterial cell lysis. upset (may take
severe
mg/kg/day with food, milk).
hypersensitivity
divided q12h.  Refrigerate oral
reaction (severe
Maximum: 1 suspension.
pruritus,
g/day.  Report persistent
angioedema,
bronchospasm, diarrhea.
anaphylaxis).

REFERENCE:

Hodgson, B. and Kizior, R. (2021). Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2021. USA: Elsevier
Inc.