Cefradine is an orally bioavailable β-lactam cephalosporin antibiotic.1 It is active against S. pyogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and E. cloacae (MICs = 0.04, 9.4, 9.4, and 6.3 μg/ml, respectively). Cefradine is also active against clinical isolates of S. aureus (MICs = 0.8-6 μg/ml) and S. pyogenes (MICs = 0.1-0.4 μg/ml), as well as H. influenzae, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae (MICs = 6.2-12.5 μg/ml).2 It increases survival in mouse models of systemic lethal infection by S. pyogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, or E. cloacae (ED50s = 5, 37, 122, and 50 mg/kg, respectively), as well as by penicillin-susceptible or -resistant strains of S. aureus (ED50s = 18 and 91 mg/kg, respectively).1 Formulations containing cefradine have previously been used in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections, skin infections, and otitis media.
1.Miraglia, G.J., Renz, K.J., and Gadebusch, H.H.Comparison of the chemotherapeutic and pharmacodynamic activities of cephradine, cephalothin, and cephaloridine in miceAntimicrob. Agents Chemother.3(2)270-273(1973) 2.Shibl, A.M., and Durgham, S.M.In-vitro evaluation of a new oral cephalosporin, cefroxadine (CGP 9000)J. Chemother.2(1)8-10(1990)