Loracarbef is an

antibiotic An antibiotic is a type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria. It is the most important type of antibacterial agent for fighting bacterial infections, and antibiotic medications are widely used in the treatment and prevention of ...

. It is a

carbacephem Carbacephems are a class of synthetic antibiotics, based on the structure of cephalosporin, a cephem Cephems are a sub-group of β-lactam antibiotics including cephalosporins and cephamycin Cephamycins are a group of β-lactam antibiotics. Th ...

, but it is sometimes grouped together with the second-generation

cephalosporin The cephalosporins (sg. ) are a class of β-lactam antibiotics originally derived from the fungus ''Acremonium'', which was previously known as ''Cephalosporium''. Together with cephamycins, they constitute a subgroup of β-lactam antibiotics ...

antibiotics. Loracarbef is a synthetic "carba" analog of

cefaclor Cefaclor, sold under the trade name Ceclor among others, is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections such as pneumonia and infections of the ear, lung, skin, throat, and urinary tract. It is also avail ...

, and is more stable.

History

Loracarbef received FDA approval in 1991 and it was marketed under the trade name Lorabid. Its use was discontinued in 2006.

Usage & Indications

Loracarbef was used to treat infections of the lungs, maxillary sinuses, throat, skin, and urinary tract.

Spectrum of Activity

Loracarbef had broad spectrum effectiveness against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including those precipitating infections of the respiratory tract, sinuses, tonsils, skin, urinary tract, and kidneys. It was of specific use in those infections caused by E. Coli, S. pyogenes, S. Aureus, S. saprphyticus, S. penumoniae, H. influenza, and M. catarrhalis.

Side effects

Diarrhea is the most common adverse effect with loracarbef. Side effects are more frequently seen with children under the age of twelve.

References

External links

RxList.com - Loracarbef
{{Cell wall disruptive antibiotics Cephalosporin antibiotics Organochlorides