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Cefaclor Coupon - Cefaclor 500mg capsule

cefaclor

Generic Ceclor
Used for Skin Infection, Ear Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection
Used for Skin Infection, Ear Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Lower Respiratory Infection

Cefaclor is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It's used to treat many different types of infections throughout the body in both children and adults. This medication is available as tablets and as a liquid suspension that's taken by mouth, typically 2 to 3 times daily. Because cefaclor isn't a penicillin antibiotic, you might be able to take it if you have a penicillin allergy. Some side effects of cefaclor include headache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 18, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Cefaclor?

What is Cefaclor used for?

How Cefaclor works

Cefaclor is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making an additional covering around themselves for protection.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsCeclor (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassCephalosporin antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$127.92(save 77.89%)
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$28.29
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basics-icon

What are the side effects of Cefaclor?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (5%)
  • Runny nose (4%)
  • Diarrhea (4%)
  • Nausea (3%)
Please note: These side effects were reported by people taking the cefaclor extended-release tablet.

Other Side Effects

  • Vaginal inflammation
  • Vaginal yeast infection
  • Stomach pain
  • Cough

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious allergic reactions: hives, rash, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
  • Infectious (C. difficile-related) diarrhea: foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (up to 15 times per day)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Cefaclor

thumbs-up

Pros

Treats many types of bacterial infections and has generally few side effects

Available as a capsule, extended-release tablet, and liquid suspension

Available as a lower-cost generic

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Cons

Might not be able to take this medication if you've had a severe allergy to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics

Needs to be taken 2 to 3 times a day

Liquid suspension must be stored in the refrigerator after mixing

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Cefaclor

pharmacist

  • Take cefaclor exactly as prescribed. Make sure to finish your treatment course, even if you start feeling better. Stopping the medication earlier than prescribed can make your infection come back and become harder to treat.

    • Cefaclor can cause diarrhea, but it should go away when you stop taking it. If you start to have watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, fatigue, or stomach cramps anytime during treatment or after stopping cefaclor, contact your provider. These might be signs of a type of infectious diarrhea, which needs to be treated right away.

      • Call your provider or get medical help as soon as possible if you get a rash, itchy skin, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face or mouth. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.

        For the cefaclor capsules:

        • Take cefaclor capsule with or without food. But if it's upsetting your stomach, taking it with food might help.

          • Don't crush or chew cefaclor capsules. If you're unable to swallow the capsule whole, ask your provider about switching you to the oral suspension.

            For the cefaclor extended-release tablet:

            • Take cefaclor extended-release tablet with food to help with absorption into your body. This way it can work as best as possible to treat your infection.

              • Don't chew, cut, or crush cefaclor extended-release tablet because this can damage the medication and cause it to not work as well for you.

                For the cefaclor oral suspension (liquid):

                • Cefaclor suspension comes in 3 different strengths: 125 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL, and 375 mg/5 mL. Make sure you know which strength you have to avoid accidentally taking the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist for help if you're not sure.

                  • Take cefaclor oral suspension with or without food. But if it's upsetting your stomach, taking it with food might help.

                    • Shake the cefaclor bottle well before using. Make sure to only use a medication dose cup or oral syringe from the pharmacy to measure out your dose. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.

                      • Store the cefaclor liquid suspension in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, throw away the bottle, even if there's still some medication left.

                        faqs

                        Frequently asked questions about Cefaclor

                        Is cefaclor a penicillin?
                        No, cefaclor is a cephalosporin antibiotic. But both penicillins and cephalosporins are beta-lactam antibiotics.
                        Is cefaclor a sulfa drug?
                        No, cefaclor isn't a sulfa medication and can be taken safely by people with a sulfa allergy.
                        Can you take cefaclor if allergic to penicillin?
                        You might be able to take cefaclor if you have a penicillin allergy. Your provider will ask you questions about your previous reaction to penicillin and decide if cefaclor is safe for you to take. If you had a mild reaction, your provider provider will likely still give you cefaclor and ask you to watch for any allergic reactions. But if you had a severe reaction to penicillin, like facial swelling or closing of the throat, your provider might give you a small test dose of cefaclor to see how you react to it, or they might prescribe a different antibiotic.
                        Is cefaclor and cephalexin (Keflex) the same?
                        No. Both cefaclor and cephalexin (Keflex) are cephalosporin antibiotics. While they treat similar types of infections and might cause similar side effects, they're different medications. It's very unlikely for your provider to prescribe both medications to you at the same time. Let your provider know if you have more questions about the difference between cefaclor and cephalexin (Keflex).
                        Do you take cefaclor with food?
                        The cefaclor extended-release tablet should be taken with food because it helps with the absorption of the medication into your body. The cefaclor capsules and oral suspension can be taken with or without food. But antibiotics tend to cause stomach-related side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), so taking it with food might help prevent these from happening.
                        Is cefaclor safe in pregnancy?
                        Discuss with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking cefaclor during pregnancy. This medication hasn't been well-studied in human pregnancy, but animal studies show that it's unlikely to cause harm. Ask your provider if you have more questions about which antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy.
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                        What are the risks and warnings for Cefaclor?

                        Cefaclor can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                        risk-warning

                        Severe allergic reactions

                        • Risk factors: Allergy to penicillin or other cephalosporin antibiotics

                          Severe allergic reactions to cefaclor are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Let your provider know if you have an allergy to antibiotics. If you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after using cefaclor, get medical attention right away.

                          risk-warning

                          Infectious diarrhea

                          Antibiotics, including cefaclor, raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be life-threatening. Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. It's important to recognize the difference between diarrhea as a side effect of cefaclor and this type of infectious diarrhea. C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day) and is an emergency. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away so you can be tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment.

                          risk-warning

                          Difficult-to-treat infections

                          Take cefaclor exactly as prescribed. Using cefaclor for any shorter or longer periods of time or taking the antibiotic for other illnesses can raise your risk for developing infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This raises your risk for severe and life-threatening infections that might be difficult to treat.

                          dosage

                          Cefaclor dosage forms

                          The average cost for 30 capsules of 500mg of Cefaclor is $39.86 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.84% off the average retail price of $127.92.
                          bottle of oral suspension
                          Bottle of oral suspension
                          DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                          150ml of 125mg/5ml1 bottle$38.10$38.10
                          150ml of 250mg/5ml1 bottle$98.31$98.31
                          100ml of 375mg/5ml1 bottle$194.85$194.85
                          capsule
                          Capsule
                          DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                          250mg30 capsules$28.29$0.94
                          500mg30 capsules$39.86$1.33

                          Typical dosing for Cefaclor

                          drug-cost

                          How much does Cefaclor cost?

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                          Cefaclor (generic)
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                          contraindications-icon

                          Cefaclor contraindications

                          Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Cefaclor will not be safe for you to take.
                          alternatives

                          What are alternatives to Cefaclor?

                          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Cefaclor. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                          Cefaclor
                          Used for:
                          $28.29 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          Cefdinir
                          Used for:
                          $18.33 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          Augmentin (amoxicillin / clavulanate)
                          Used for:
                          $12.31 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                          images

                          Cefaclor images

                          Blue And Orange Krc500 Krc500 - Cefaclor 500mg Capsule
                          This medicine is Blue And Orange Capsule Imprinted With "Krc500 Krc500".Blue And Orange Krc500 Krc500 - Cefaclor 500mg Capsule

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                          References

                          Best studies we found

                          Aytu Therapeutics, LLC. (2023). Cefaclor- cefaclor for suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.

                          Bui, T., et al. (2022). Cephalosporins. StatPearls.

                          Campagna, J. D., et al. (2012). The use of cephalosporins in penicillin-allergic patients: A literature review. The Journal of Emergency Medicine.

                          View All References (6)

                          Jazeera Pharmaceutical. (2016). Cefaclor- cefaclor capsule [package insert]. DailyMed.

                          Maguire, M., et al. (2020). Beta-lactam antibiotic test doses in the emergency department. The World Allergy Organization Journal.

                          Pandey, N., et al. (2023). Beta-lactam antibiotics. StatPearls.

                          Rhyou, H. I., et al. (2021). Cefaclor-induced hypersensitivity: Differences in the incidence of anaphylaxis relative to other 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporins. Public Library of Science One.

                          Salisbury, B. H., et al. (2023). Antacids. StatPearls.

                          Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (2019). Cefaclor- cefaclor tablet, film coated, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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