Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
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.
Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough with sputum production, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
Gastroenteritis (viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu) is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting and/or diarrhea. Even though it is often called the "stomach flu," it is not caused by the influenza viruses. Viruses that can cause gastroenteritis (stomach flu) include: rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Noroviruses. Gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria. The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting and watery diarrhea, however, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps (stomach ache) may also be present.
Staphylococcus or Staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a Staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Strep throat is a sore throat caused by a bacterium called streptococcus (strep) that can be treated through antibiotics. Common symptoms of strep throat include pinkeye, runny nose, skin rash, cough, hoarseness, diarrhea and more. Complications of untreated strep throat include middle ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, rheumatic fever, and more.
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as empyema, COPD, or cigarette smoking.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a bacterium, and is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon. C. difficile spores are found frequently in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, and nurseries for newborn infants. They can be found on bedpans, furniture, toilet seats, linens, telephones, stethoscopes, fingernails, rings, floors, infants' rooms, and diaper pails. They even can be carried by pets. Antibiotic-associated (C. difficile) colitis is an infection of the colon caused by C. difficile that occurs primarily among individuals who have been using antibiotics. Treatment for C. difficile colitis hydration, replenishment of electrolyte deficiencies, discontinuing the antibiotic that caused the colitis, and using antibiotics to eradicate the C. difficile bacterium.
Food poisoning is common, but can also be life threatening. The most common form of food poisoning is caused by bacteria and include symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from degree of laryngitis and age of the patient. Common symptoms include croup, hoarse cough, fever, cold, runny nose, dry cough, and loss of voice. Chronic laryngitis generally lasts more than three weeks. Causes other than infection include smoking, excess coughing, GERD, and more. Treatment depends on the cause of laryngitis.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Salmonella bacteria are known to cause salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and paratyphoid fever in humans. Salmonella infection is usually caused by ingesting large amounts of the bacteria in contaminated food or water.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination, and redness, swelling, burning and itching of the vaginal area. Gonorrhea can be treated with injectable (penicillin) or oral medications.
Middle ear infection or inflammation (otitis media) is inflammation fo the middle ear. There are two types of otitis media, acute and chronic. Acute otitis media is generally short in duration, and chronic otitis media generally lasts several weeks. Seventy-five percent of children in the U.S. suffer from otitis media at some point. Treatment depends upon the type (chronic or acute).
There are many types of E. Coli (Escherichia coli ). Pathogenic E. coli can cause urinary tract and bladder infections, or lead to sepsis. E coli O157:H7 (EHEC) causes bloody diarrhea and colitis. Complications of E. coli infection include hemorrhagic diarrhea, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. E coli O157:H7 commonly is due to eating raw or undercooked hamburger or raw milk or dairy products.
The incidence of sore throats (pharyngitis) varies with season, age of the patient, and geographic area. Sore throats can be caused by infection from either viruses or bacteria. Fewer than a third of all pharyngitis is bacterial, the most common bacteria being Group A
streptococcus (GAS) . Children 5 years to 15 years of age are the most common age group affected. Infection is most likely during the winter/early spring season. This is most likely due in part to the seasonal variation of Strep bacteria concentration in the community as well as the higher likelihood of close proximity due to either weather conditions and/or school attendance during winter months.
The pediatric population may have different presentations of GAS infection:
Infants (< 1 year of age) low grade fever (< 101 F, 38 C), fussiness, decreased appetite, often
following exposure to either daycare or older infec...
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