Nicef

How does it work?

Nicef capsules contain the active ingredient cefradine, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. (NB. Cefradine is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Cefradine is a type of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Cefradine treats bacterial infections by killing the bacteria causing the infection. It does this by preventing the bacteria from forming normal cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria protect the bacterial cells and are essential for their survival. When these cell walls are not formed correctly it causes them to disintegrate and the bacteria therefore die.

Cephalosporins are known as broad-spectrum antibiotics because they are active against a wide variety of types of bacteria. Cefradine is used to treat bacterial infections of the airways, eg bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis; the kidneys and urinary tract, eg cystitis; and the skin and soft tissues, eg abscesses, impetigo, cellulitis. It is also used to prevent infections that might occur following surgical procedures if these procedures carry a high risk of infection or if the patient has decreased defences against infection. In these cases the antibiotic is started before the surgery.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to cefradine your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.

What is it used for?

Bacterial infections of the organs associated with breathing, including nasal passages, sinuses, windpipe and lungs (respiratory tract), eg sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia

Bacterial infections of the urinary tract

Bacterial infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis)

Bacterial infections of the ears, nose or throat, eg otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis

Bacterial infections of the skin or soft tissue, eg abscesses, cellulitis, impetigo

Preventing infection following surgery

Warning!

This medicine may cause dizziness. If affected, you should take care performing potentially hazardous activities such as driving and operating machinery.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea either during or after taking this medicine, particularly if it becomes severe or persistent, or contains blood or mucus, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Use with caution in

Allergy to penicillin-type antibiotics

Decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

Allergy to cephalosporin-type antibiotics

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is generally considered to be safe when used during pregnancy. However, as with all medicines, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and only when considered essential, particularly during the first trimester. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. It should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.

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