Cefaclor is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Cefaclor is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills sensitive bacteria by interfering with formation of the bacteria's cell wall while it is growing. This weakens the cell wall and it ruptures, resulting in the death of the bacteria.

Do NOT use Cefaclor if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cefaclor or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cephalexin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cefaclor :

Some medical conditions may interact with Cefaclor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or a blood clotting disorder
• if you have phenylketonuria
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cefaclor. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Probenecid because it may increase the actions and side effects of Cefaclor
• Oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because side effects, including risk of bleeding, may be increased by Cefaclor

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cefaclor may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cefaclor:

Use Cefaclor as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Cefaclor may be taken with or without food.
• Chew thoroughly before swallowing.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Cefaclor for the full course of treatment, even if you feel better in a few days.
• Cefaclor works best if it is taken at the same time(s) each day.
• If you miss a dose of Cefaclor , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cefaclor.

Important safety information:

• Cefaclor is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold)
• Long-term or repeated use of Cefaclor may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• It is important to use Cefaclor for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Cefaclor and it will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools occurs, contact your doctor immediately. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• It is important to use Cefaclor for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Cefaclor and it will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Phenylketonuria patients - Cefaclor contains phenylalanine.
• Diabetes patients - Cefaclor may cause false test results with some urine glucose tests. Check with your doctor before you adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine or change your diet.
• Use Cefaclor with caution in the ELDERLY since they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Cefaclor during pregnancy. Cefaclor is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Cefaclor , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cefaclor :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Headache; mild diarrhea; nausea; sinus infection; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; itching); bloody stools; fever; seizures; severe diarrhea; stomach cramps/pain; urge to have a bowel movement; vaginal irritation or discharge.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.