Biocef is indicated for the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible micro- organisms:

• Respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, bronchitis, exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, and as part of the management of sinusitis
• Otitis media
• Skin and soft tissue infections
• Urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis and cystitis

Biocef has been found to be effective in both acute and chronic urinary tract infections.

Cefaclor is generally effective in the eradication of streptococci from the nasopharynx, however, data establishing efficacy in the subsequent prevention of either rheumatic fever or bacterial endocarditis are not available.

Posology 
Adults
The usual adult dosage is 250 mg every eight hours. For more severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, doses may be doubled. Doses of 4 g per day have been administered safely to normal subjects for 28 days, but the total daily dosage should not exceed this amount.

Cefaclor may be administered in the presence of impaired renal function. Under such conditions dosage is usually unchanged (see 'Special Warning and Special Precautions for Use').

Patients undergoing haemodialysis: Haemodialysis shortens serum half-life by 25-30%. In patients undergoing regular haemodialysis, a loading dose of 250 mg-1 g administered prior to dialysis and a therapeutic dose of 250-500 mg every six to eight hours maintained during interdialytic periods is recommended.

The elderly: As for adults

Paediatric population
The usual recommended daily dosage for children is 20mg/kg/day in divided doses every eight hours, as indicated. For bronchitis and pneumonia, the dosage is 20mg/kg/day in divided doses administered 3 times daily. For otitis media and pharyngitis, the total daily dosage may be divided and administered every 12 hours. Safety and efficacy have not been established for use in infants aged less than one month.

In more serious infections, otitis media, sinusitis and infections caused by less susceptible organisms, 40mg/kg/day in divided doses is recommended, up to a daily maximum of 1g.

In the treatment of beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for at least 10 days.

Method of administration
Biocef is administered orally.

Warnings 
Before instituting therapy with cefaclor, every effort should be made to determine whether the patient has had previous hypersensitivity reactions to cefaclor, cephalosporins, penicillins or other drugs. Cefaclor should be given cautiously to penicillin-sensitive patients, because cross- hypersensitivity, including anaphylaxis, among beta-lactam antibiotics has been clearly documented.

If an allergic reaction to cefaclor occurs, the drug should be discontinued and the patient treated with the appropriate agents.

Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with virtually all broad-spectrum antibiotics, including macrolides, semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins. It is important, therefore, to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhoea in association with the use of antibiotics. Such colitis may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Mild cases usually respond to drug discontinuance alone. In moderate to severe cases, appropriate measures should be taken.

Precautions
Cefaclor should be administered with caution in the presence of markedly impaired renal function. Since the half-life of cefaclor in anuric patients is 2.3 to 2.8 hours (compared to 0.6-0.9 hours in normal subjects), dosage adjustments for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment are not usually required. Clinical experience with cefaclor under such conditions is limited; therefore, careful clinical observation and laboratory studies should be made.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be prescribed with caution in individuals with a history of gastro-intestinal disease, particularly colitis.

Prolonged use of cefaclor may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. If superinfection occurs during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken.

Positive direct Coombs' tests have been reported during treatment with the cephalosporin antibiotics. In haematological studies or in transfusion cross- matching procedures, when anti- globulin tests are performed on the minor side, or in Coombs' testing of newborns whose mothers have received cephalosporin antibiotics before parturition, it should be recognised that a positive Coombs' test may be due to the drug.

A false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine may occur with Benedict's or Fehling's solutions or with copper sulphate test tablets.

Biocef contains sodium
Biocef contains sodium. Each capsule of Biocef 500 mg Capsules contains 2.52 mg sodium. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

There have been rare reports of increased prothrombin time, with or without clinical bleeding, in patients receiving cefaclor and warfarin concomitantly. It is recommended that in such patients, regular monitoring of prothrombin time should be considered, with adjustment of dosage if necessary.

The renal excretion of cefaclor is inhibited by probenecid.

Pregnancy
Animal studies have shown no evidence of impaired fertility or teratogenicity. However, since there are no adequate or well- controlled studies in pregnant women, caution should be exercised when prescribing for the pregnant patient.

Breast-feeding
Small amounts of cefaclor have been detected in breast milk following administration of single 500 mg doses. Average levels of about 0.2 micrograms/ml or less were detected up to 5 hours later. Trace amounts were detected at one hour. As the effect on nursing infants is not known, caution should be exercised when cefaclor is administered to a nursing woman.

Not relevant.

Gastro-intestinal: The most frequent side-effect has been diarrhoea. It is rarely severe enough to warrant cessation of therapy. Colitis, including rare instances of pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported. Nausea and vomiting have also occurred.

Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions such as morbilliform eruptions, pruritus and urticaria have been observed. These reactions usually subside upon discontinuation of therapy. Serum sickness-like reactions (erythema multiforme minor, rashes or other skin manifestations accompanied by arthritis/arthralgia, with or without fever) have been reported.

Lymphadenopathy and proteinuria are infrequent, there are no circulating immune complexes and no evidence of sequelae. Occasionally, solitary symptoms may occur, but do not represent a serum sickness-like reaction. Serum sickness-like reactions are apparently due to hypersensitivity and have usually occurred during or following a second (or subsequent) course of therapy with cefaclor. Such reactions have been reported more frequently in children than in adults. Signs and symptoms usually occur a few days after initiation of therapy and usually subside within a few days of cessation of therapy. Antihistamines and corticosteroids appear to enhance resolution of the syndrome. No serious sequelae have been reported.

There are rare reports of erythema multiforme major (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), toxic epidermal necrolysis, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may be more common in patients with a history of penicillin allergy. Anaphylactoid events may present as solitary symptoms, including angioedema, asthenia, oedema (including face and limbs), dyspnoea, paraesthesias, syncope, or vasodilatation.

Rarely, hypersensitivity symptoms may persist for several months.

Haematological: Eosinophilia, positive Coombs' tests and, rarely, thrombocytopenia. Transient lymphocytosis, leucopenia and, rarely, haemolytic anaemia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis and reversible neutropenia of possible clinical significance. See 'Interactions with other Medicaments and other forms of Interaction'.

Hepatic: Transient hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice have been reported rarely, slight elevations in AST, ALT or alkaline phosphatase values.

Renal: Reversible interstitial nephritis has occurred rarely, also slight elevations in blood urea or serum creatinine or abnormal urinalysis.

Central Nervous System: Reversible hyperactivity, agitation, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, hypertonia, dizziness, hallucinations and somnolence have been reported rarely.

Miscellaneous: Genital pruritus, vaginitis and vaginal moniliasis.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:

• Saudi Arabia

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC)
SFDA Call Center: 19999
E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa
Website: https://ade.sfda.gov.sa

• Other GCC States

Please contact the relevant competent authority.

Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress and diarrhoea would be anticipated.

Treatment: Unless 5 times the normal total daily dose has been ingested, gastro-intestinal decontamination will not be necessary.

General management may consist of supportive therapy.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Second-generation cephalosporins antibiotics, ATC code: J01DC04.

Mechanism of action
Cefaclor is active against the following organisms in vitro:

• Alpha- and beta-haemolytic streptococci
• Staphylococci; including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative and penicillinase- producing strains
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Streptococcus pyogenes (group A beta-haemolytic streptococci)
• Branhamella catarrhalis
• Escherichia coli Proteus
• Mirabilis Klebsiella species
• Haemophilus influenzae, including ampicillin-resistant strains

Cefaclor has no activity against Pseudomonas species or Acinetobacter species. Methicillin- resistant staphylococci and most strains of enterococci (eg, Str. faecalis) are resistant to cefaclor. Cefaclor is not active against most strains of Enterobacter spp, Serratia spp, Morganella morganii, Proteus vulgaris and Providencia rettgeri.

Absorption
Cefaclor is well absorbed after oral administration to fasting subjects. Total absorption is the same whether the drug is given with or without food; however, when it is taken with food, the peak concentration achieved is 50 -75% of that observed when the drug is administered to fasting subjects and generally appears from ¾ to one hour later.

Linearity
Following administration of 250 mg, 500 mg and 1 g doses to fasting subjects, average peak serum levels of approximately 7, 13 and 23 mg/L respectively were obtained within 30 - 60 minutes.

Biotransformation and Elimination
Approximately 60 - 85% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine within eight hours, the greater portion being excreted within the first two hours. During the eight hours period, peak urine concentrations following the 250 mg, 500 mg and 1 g doses were approximately 600, 900 and 1,900 mg/L respectively. The serum half-life in normal subjects is 0.6 - 0.9 hours. In patients with reduced renal function, the serum half-life of cefaclor is slightly prolonged. In those with complete absence of renal function, the plasma half- life of the intact molecule is 2.3 - 2.8 hours. Excretion pathways in patients with markedly impaired renal function have not been determined. Haemodialysis shortens the half-life by 25 - 30%.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development.

• Sodium starch glycolate
• Croscarmellose sodium
• Magnesium stearate

Not applicable.

Store below 30°C.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light and moisture.

50 ml high density polyethylene (HDPE) white Jars.

Pack size: 15 Capsules.

No special requirements for disposal.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.