Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Cefprozil is a semi-synthetic oral antibiotic of the cephalosporin family. The cephalosporin family includescephalexin (Keflex), cefaclor (Ceclor), cefuroxime (Zinacef), cefpodoxime(Vantin), cefixime (Suprax), and many injectable antibiotics. Cefprozil isactive against a very wide spectrum of bacteria, including:Staphylococcus. aureus, Streptococcus. pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes(the cause of strep throat), Hemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis,E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella, Shigella, Clostridiumperfringens and difficile, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Therapeutic uses ofcefprozil include otitis media, soft-tissue infections, and respiratorytract infections.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets (ovoid-shaped): 250mg (orange); 500mg(white); Suspension: 125 mg/teaspoon; 250 mg/teaspoon.

STORAGE: Tablets should be kept at 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). The suspension should be refrigerated and discarded after14 days.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Cefprozil is effective against susceptiblebacteria causing infections of the middle ear, tonsillitis, throatinfections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and skin and soft tissueinfections.

DOSING: Cefprozil is taken once or twice daily, depending on thenature and severity of the infection. The tablets can be taken with orwithout food. The suspension has not been studied with food, and shouldtherefore be taken one hour before meals. Patients with advanced renaldiseases may need lower doses.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known clinically important druginteractions with cefprozil.

PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of azithromycin inpregnant women. However, studies in animals suggest no important effectson the fetus. Cefprozil therefore can be used in pregnancy if thephysician feels that it is clearly indicated.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if cefprozil is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: Cefprozil is generally well tolerated. The mostcommon side effects are diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, abdominal pain,and vomiting, each of which may occur in fewer than one in thirty personswho receive azithromycin. Rarer side effects include abnormal liver testsand allergic reactions. Persons with phenylketonuria should are advisedthat the suspension contains phenylalanine 28mL per teaspoonful.Physicians should be reminded of this fact. Cefprozil may cause false testresults with some urine sugar tests.