Emceph Capsule

Generic Name(s): Cephalexin

Why it's used

Emceph Capsule is used to treat respiratory tract infections, inflammatory diseases of the middle ear (otitis media), skin and soft tissue infections, bone infections, infection of reproductive organs and the urinary system (genitourinary tract infections), worsening of long-term inflammation of the bronchi, and community-acquired pneumonia. This medicine works by killing the bacteria by blocking the bacterial cell-wall formation.
When not to use
Emceph should not be used to treat viral infections (common cold).
Cephalosporin Antibacterials
Emceph is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of medicines called Cephalosporin Antibacterials. Cephalosporin antibacterials are an antibiotic class of medicines which are used to treat bacterial infections such as kidney and urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, and skin infections.

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How to use

Read the directions on the product label, patient guide, or medicine guide provided by the medicine company or your pharmacist before starting to use Emceph Capsule. If you have any questions related to this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Consume this medicine as recommended by your doctor.
Emceph Capsule is consumed with or without food. There is a slight reduction in absorption of Emceph when given with food. Emceph is usually taken every 6/12 hours for 7-14 days, depending on the disease being treated.

Typical Dosage

The typical dose of Emceph is 250 mg every 6 hours as a usual dose or 1000-4000 mg daily in divided doses for more severe infections. The usual dose for children is 25 mg/kg (11.4 mg/lb) - 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) in 3 equal doses and in severe infections, daily dose of 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) to 100 mg/kg (45.4 mg/lb) in uniformly divided doses. The maximum adult dose of Emceph is 4000 mg in a day. This medicine is typically used for a period of 7-14 days for bacterial infections. Emceph is commonly used at the same time every day.
You should continue to use this medicine as directed by the doctor even if you feel well.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens. Tell your doctor if watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, and fever. If you have any kidney disease, the dose of the Emceph should be reduced in kidney patients. If removing excess of water from the kidneys is required for kidney failure, the daily dose of Emceph should not be more than 500mg.
Your doctor may recommend a lower initial dose of this medicine to see the impact of this medicine on the body. Please follow your doctor's directions.
The effectiveness of this medicine may reduce if it is used for long periods of time.

Use in Children

If you are giving Emceph Capsule to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for children. Before giving this medicine to a child, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the product package. You can also read the dosage section of this page to know the correct dose for your child. Else, consult with your doctor and follow their recommendation.

Lab Tests

Your doctor may request that specific lab tests be performed before you start using Emceph Capsule. You may need to have Antibiotic Susceptibility test. This test helps in selecting an antibacterial agent for treatment.

Storage

You should store Emceph Capsule at 15-30ºC (59-86ºF), away from moisture, and away from light. Store the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
Medicines may be prescribed for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Emceph Capsule for conditions for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Emceph Capsule to other people who might have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. Self-medication may harm them.

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How to take Emceph

Your dose and how often you take Emceph will depend on the following factors:
  • age
  • weight
  • patient's health
  • the health of the patient's liver
  • medicines recommended by the doctor
  • any other medicines being used
  • herbal supplements in use

Emceph Dosage

Dosage for skin and soft tissue infections

Adult
  • Recommended: 250 mg after every 6 hours or 500 mg after every 12 hours and for severe infections, a large dose up to 4000 mg every day is needed in two to four uniformly divided doses

Dosage for inflammation of the back of the throat

Adult
  • Recommended: 250 mg after every 6 hours or 500 mg after every 12 hours

Dosage for urinary tract infection

Adult
  • Recommended: 250 mg after every 6 hours or 500 mg after every 12 hours

Dosage for inflammatory diseases of the middle ear

Children (over 1 year of age)
  • Recommended: 75 mg/kg (34.1 mg/lb) to 100 mg/kg (45.4 mg/lb) daily in equal divided doses

Dosage for throat and skin infections

Children (over 1 year of age)
  • Recommended: 25 mg/kg (11.4 mg/lb) - 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) in equal divided doses for 10 days and in severe infections daily dose of 50 mg/kg (22.7 mg/lb) - 100 mg/kg (45.4 mg/lb) in equally divided doses

Minimum Age

over 1 year of age

Dosage calculation for children

To calculate the dosage for children please use the weight based dose calculator to calculate the appropriate dosage as per the weight of your child.

Forms

Capsule
Strength: 250 mg, 333 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg
Tablet
Strength: 250 mg and 500 mg
Powder, for suspension
Strength: 125 mg, 500 mg, 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml
For suspension
Strength: 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml
Tablet, soluble
Strength: 125 mg and 250 mg
Suspension
Strength: 125 mg, 250 mg, 125 mg/5 ml and 250 mg/5 ml

Special Instructions

Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
Patients with creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min need no dose adjustment.
Creatinine clearance 30 to 59 mL/min
Patients with creatinine clearance 30 to 59 mL/min need no dose adjustment or maximum daily dose should not be more than 1000 mg.
Creatinine clearance 15 to 29 mL/min
Patients with creatinine clearance 15 to 29 mL/min should have a dose of 250 mg every 8 hours or 12 hours.
Creatinine clearance 5 to 14 mL/min
Patients with creatinine clearance 5 to 14 mL/min not yet on the process of purification of kidneys should have a dose of 250 mg every 24 hours.
Creatinine clearance 1 to 4 mL/min
Patients with creatinine clearance 1 to 4 mL/min not yet on the process of purification of kidneys should have a dose of 250 mg every 48 hours or 60 hours.

Missed Dose

The missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember it. However, if it is time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. A double dose should not be taken to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Emceph?
In the case of an overdose, provide general supportive measures.
Symptoms of an overdose of Emceph
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
If you think you have overdosed on Emceph Capsule, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Emceph

Before you use Emceph, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following:
  • allergic reaction to Emceph
  • colitis
  • liver disease
  • penicillin allergy
  • severe kidney disorder
  • stomach and intestinal disease
Cross-allergic reaction among beta-lactam antibacterial agents may arise in 10% of patients with a previous history of penicillin allergy. Patients with kidney disorder need a dosage adjustment.
Before you use Emceph Capsule, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Tell your doctor if you are allergic any of the following substances: cephalosporins, or penicillins.
The use of this medicine may change the bilirubin level. Emceph may elevate the levels of bilirubin.
The use of this medicine may change creatinine level. There is an increase in the creatinine level.
The use of Emceph Capsule may change blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Blood urea nitrogen level gets increased.
The use of this medicine may change blood clotting time. There is a prolongation of blood-clotting (prothrombin) time.
The use of Emceph Capsule may change alkaline phosphatase. Level of alkaline phosphatase gets elevated.

Seizures

Emceph Capsule can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Emceph Capsule can worsen the sleepiness. Emceph Capsule may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy

Consult with your doctor on the use of Emceph during pregnancy, or if you are planning to become pregnant. There are no sufficient and well-established studies done in pregnant women.

Use while Breastfeeding

The use of Emceph Capsule is known to be safe for use in women who are breastfeeding. Emceph is passed in human milk. Breastfeeding women should be cautious while taking Emceph.

Side-effects in Older Patients

Emceph Capsule may cause increased incidence of side-effects in older patients. Elderly patients may see an increased risk of decreased functioning of kidneys.

Long-term Use

Long term use of Emceph may result in the excessive growth of drug-resistant organisms.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Emceph to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only When Necessary
Warning: There are no sufficient and well-established studies done in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

Precaution
Warning: Emceph is passed in human milk. Breastfeeding women should be cautious while taking Emceph.

Younger Adults Population

Possibly safe
Warning: 

Older Adults Population

Precaution
Warning: Elderly patients are much more likely to have improper functioning of kidneys. Absolute care should be taken during dose selection.

Emceph Side-effects

The following side-effects may commonly occur when using Emceph Capsule. If any of these side-effects worsen or last for a long time, you should consult with your doctor:
The following side-effects may commonly occur in older patients on the use of Emceph Capsule. Discuss with your doctor if any of these side-effects last for a long time or are severe:
  • decreased functioning of kidneys
Rarely, the use of Emceph Capsule may cause the following side-effects:
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Emceph Capsule:
  • infections and infestations
    Symptoms: inflammation of the vagina yeast infection of the vagina
  • skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
    Symptoms: inflammatory skin eruption, severe skin reactions allergy
  • renal and urinary disorders
    Symptoms: swelling in between the kidney tubules (interstitial nephritis)
  • stomach and intestinal disorders (severe bloody or watery diarrhea | fatal inflammation in the digestive tract)
    Symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting swelling of the large intestine
    If these symptoms develop, it is advised to patients to contact their doctor.
  • blood and lymphatic system disorders
    Symptoms: increased number of eosinophils, abnormally low level of neutrophils, abnormally low levels of thrombocytes abnormal breakdown of red blood cells
  • general disorders
    Symptoms: fever
  • immune system disorders
    Symptoms: allergic reaction
    If any allergic reaction to Emceph occurs, discontinue the medicine and start suitable treatment.
  • hepatobiliary disorders
    Symptoms: severe liver infection decrease in bile flow
  • psychiatric disorders
    Symptoms: hallucinations, anxiety (agitation) confusion
Your doctor has prescribed this Emceph because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This is not a complete list of possible side-effects for Emceph.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Emceph by Severity and Frequency

Common Side-effects

Following are the common side-effects of this medicine:

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Side-effects in Older Adults

Following are the side-effects of this medicine in elderly patients:
  • decreased kidney function

Mild Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of mild allergic reactions to this medicine:
If any allergic reaction to Emceph occurs, discontinue the medicine and start suitable therapy.

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
If any allergic reaction to Emceph occurs, discontinue the medicine and start suitable therapy.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Bacteria Causing Respiratory Infections

Emceph should not be used in infections in which gram-negative bacteria (haemophilus influenzae) is involved.

Development of Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Giving Emceph in the absence of a completely suspected bacterial infection is unlikely to give an advantage to the patient. This enhances the risk of the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Long-term use of Emceph may result in the overgrowth of non-resistant organisms. Careful observation of the patient is required. If superinfection occurs during therapy, suitable measures should be taken.

Prolonged Blood-Clotting Time

Patients with kidney or liver damage, or inadequate nutritional state are at an increased risk when using this medicine. Also, patients receiving a long-term course of antibacterial treatment, and anticoagulant agents are at a higher risk. Emceph may be associated with prolonged time taken by blood to clot (prothrombin time). Prothrombin time should be accurately monitored in patients at risk and manage as indicated.

Seizures Possibility

Patients with kidney problems are at an increased risk while using Emceph. Several cephalosporins including Emceph have been involved in triggering seizures, especially in patients with kidney damage when the dosage was not decreased. If seizures occur, discontinue Emceph. Anticonvulsant therapy may be given if indicated clinically. Emceph should be used with caution in the presence of damaged kidney failure. If purification of the blood is needed for kidney failure, the daily dose of Emceph should not exceed 500 mg.

Direct Coombs’ Test Time Period

Antibodies that fight against red blood cells have been seen during treatment with Emceph. Unusual breakdown of red blood cells in the blood vessels (acute intravascular hemolysis) induced by the treatment of Emceph has been seen. If a deficiency of red blood cells develops during or after Emceph therapy, perform a diagnostic test for the drug-induced breakdown of red blood cells. Discontinue Emceph and start suitable therapy.

Hospital Acquired Infection

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been observed over two months of Emceph use and may vary in severity from moderate diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Treatment with antibacterial drugs leads to produce toxins, which contribute to the growth of hospital-acquired infection associated with fever. Hypertoxin-producing strains of C. difficile cause increased fatality and disease rate. Patients with such condition may require the removal of the colon. If CDAD is confirmed or not, the use of Emceph against C. difficile needs to be discontinued. Suitable fluid and electrolyte use, protein supplementation, antibacterial therapy of C. difficile, and operational evaluation should be started as indicated.

Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions such as hives, rash, swelling of the area under the skin, allergy, severe skin reaction have been observed with the use of Emceph. Emceph capsules contain coloring agents, sunset yellow, quinoline yellow, and patent blue V which may induce allergic reactions. Before starting Emceph therapy, examine whether the patient has a history of allergic reactions to Emceph or other drugs. The cross-allergic reaction may happen with other antibacterial drugs in 10% of patients with a previous history of penicillin allergy. Discontinue the drug and begin proper therapy, if an allergic reaction to Emceph occurs.

Interactions with Emceph

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Emceph Capsule. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Sulfonylureas

Emceph Capsule may interact with sulfonylureas, (metformin) which is used to treat high sugar level. Use of Emceph with metformin results in raised blood metformin levels and decreased kidney clearance of metformin. Careful monitoring of patient and dose modification of metformin is advised in patients taking Emceph and metformin in combination.

Uricosurics

There may be an interaction of Emceph with uricosurics (probenecid), which is used to lower high levels of uric acid in the urine. The kidney excretion of Emceph is blocked by probenecid. The combined use of probenecid with Emceph is not recommended.

Laboratory or Diagnostic Testing

Emceph Capsule interacts with interaction with laboratory or diagnostic testing. A false-positive reaction may take place when testing is done for the presence of glucose in the urine using a solution. The solution which is used to detect the presence of reducing sugars (Fehling’s solution or Benedict’s solution).

Antibacterial Agents

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with antibacterial agents (cephalosporins and aminoglycosides), which are used to treat infections caused by bacteria that are difficult to treat. The combined use with specific other drug substances, such as aminoglycosides and cephalosporins may raise the risk of kidney damage.

Interactions of Emceph by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can cause harmful effects in the body. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Emceph be not used?

Allergic Reaction

Emceph should not be used in patients with allergic reaction to the cephalosporins including Emceph or to any of the excipients. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:
  • rash
  • hives
  • swelling of the area under the tissues
  • allergy
  • severe skin reactions
  • inflammatory skin eruption

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Emceph is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Emceph Capsule .
Bacterial Infections
Ear Infections
Skin Infections
Urinary Tract Infections

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