Cephapirin is an antibiotic that belongs to the class of cephalosporins, molecules that block the proliferation of bacteria by preventing the synthesis of their wall. Their mechanism of action is similar to that of penicillin.
What is Cephapirin?
The cephalosporins are a viable alternative to the use of penicillin in patients who are allergic to this class of antibiotics. They can be helpful in avoiding, for example, infections caused by Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Moreover, it may also be useful in case of infections caused by species of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Providencia, Serratia and Haemophilus.
Its main applications include the treatment of infections of the respiratory tract, the urogenital system, as well as tissue and blood infections.
How should Cephapirin be taken?
Cephapirin is usually administered intravenously or by intramuscular injections.
Side effects associated with Cephapirin
The cephapirin can trigger allergic reactions in the form of contact dermatitis; however, hypersensitivity reactions, including shock, occur in rare cases.
In some cases, adverse effects may be discovered in the blood levels (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and eosinophilia), kidneys (nephritis interstitial) as well as the administration site (phlebitis). Furthermore, an increase in vaginal infection by yeast was observed in women who underwent treatment with cephapirin.
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Cephapirin
The cephapirin can interact with many medications. Its intake should not for example be associated with that of diuretics. Therefore, it is recommended to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking before you even begin treatment with this antibiotic. Finally, it is important to proceed with caution with this medication if you suffer from severe kidney damage.
