Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: cefprozil
BRAND NAME: Cefzil
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Cefprozil is a semi-synthetic (partially man-made),
oral antibiotic of the cephalosporin family. The cephalosporin family includes
cephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef),
cefpodoxime
(Vantin), cefixime (Suprax), and many other injectable antibiotics. Like other
cephalosporins, cefprozil stops bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria
from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect
bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell
together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. Cefprozil is active
against a very wide spectrum of bacteria such as
Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes (the cause of strep throat),
Hemophilus influenzae (the cause of
otitis media, middle ear
infection), Moraxella catarrhalis,
E. coli,
Klebsiella, Proteus
mirabilis, Salmonella,
Shigella,
Clostridium perfringens and
difficile, and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The FDA approved Cefprozil in December 1991.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 250 and 500 mg; Powder for suspension: 125 and 250
mg/5 ml.
STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at room temperature, 15 to 30 C (59 to 86 F).
The unmixed powder should be kept at room temperature, 15 to 25 C (59 to 77 F),
refrigerated after mixing, and discarded after 14 days.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Cefprozil is effective against susceptible bacteria causing
infections of the middle ear,
tonsils, throat, larynx (laryngitis), bronchi
(bronchitis), skin and soft tissues as well as pneumonia.
DOSING: Cefprozil is taken once or twice daily, depending on the nature and
severity of the infection. The recommended adult dose is 250-500 mg twice daily
for 10 days. Some infections may be treated with 500 mg once daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Probenecid
(Benemid) may increase the blood concentration of
cefprozil by decreasing excretion of cefprozil by the kidney. This interaction
is sometimes used to enhance the effect of cephalosporins.
Combining cefprozil with aminoglycosides (for example, tobramycin) produces additive
bacterial killing effects but also may increase the risk of harmful effects to
the kidney.
Exenatide (Byetta) may delay or reduce the absorption of cephalosporins.
Cephalosporins should be administered one hour before exenatide.
Cefprozil may cause false test results with some tests for sugar in the
urine.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of cefprozil in
pregnant women.
However, studies in animals suggest no important effects on the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Small amounts of cefprozil are secreted in
breast milk, but
the effect on the infant is unknown.
SIDE EFFECTS: Cefprozil is generally well tolerated. The most common side
effects are diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, rash and
headache. Rare side effects include
abnormal liver tests and allergic reactions.
Like most antibiotics cefprozil may cause a condition called
pseudomembranous colitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection of the colon. Persons with
phenylketonuria should be advised that the suspension contains phenylalanine.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 10/8/2009
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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