Ref: "The use of Antibiotics," A.Kucers, 5th edition. 1997.

Ref: "The use of Antibiotics," A.Kucers, 5th edition. 1997.

Camocep capsules are hard gelatin capsules, each containing 250mg or 500mg cephalexin.

Camocep is a bactericidal antibiotic of the cephalosporin group which is active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It is indicated for treatment of the following conditions: Respiratory tract infections: Acute and chronic bronchitis, Ear, Nose and throat infections: Otitis media, mastoiditis, sinusitis, follicular tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Urinary tract infections: Acute and chronic Pyelonephritis, cystitis and prostatitis. Prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infactions. Gynaecological and obstetric infections, skin soft-tissue and bone infections, gonorrhoea (when penicillin is unsuitable). Dental procedures: Treatment of dental infections, prophylaxis treatment for patients with heart disease and treatment as an alternative to penicillin.

Cephalexin is stable to staphylococcal penicillinase and so is active against penicillin- resistant staphylococcus aureus and other staphylococcal species (excluding methicillin-resistant isolates.). Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B), other B-haemolytic streptococci and most viridans group streptococci are also highly susceptible to cephalexin. Cephalexin has in-vitro activity against E. coil, Klebsiella species, Proteus mirabilis, Corynebacterium diphteriae, Salmonella and shigella species. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and N.meningitidis are also susceptible.

Children: Ideally, dosage should be calculated on a bodyweight basis and are derived from a normal dosage of 25 to 60 mg/kg/day. For chronic or severe infections, this should be increased to 100mg/kg/day (maximum 4g/day), 7 t 12 years: 250 to 500mg four times daily or 500mg to 1g twice daily.

A small proportion of patients receiving cephalexin have experienced gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea. Vomiting and diarrhoea. As with other broadspectrum antibiotic, there have been rare reports of pseudomembranous colitis. Prolonged use can result in overgrowth of candida causing vulvo-vaginitis. Reversible neutropenia has occurred in a few patients, but is very rare. Drug rashes-both urticarial and maculopapular. Camocep should be used with care in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to drugs. Severe skin reactions including very rarely toxic apidermal necrolysis (exanthematic necrolysis), and hypersensitivity recations including angioedema and anaphylaxis. There are reports of positive coombs' test.

Concurrent treatment with high doses of cephalosporins and nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides or potent diuretics (e.g. frusemide,ethacrynic acid and piretanide) may adversely effect renal function. Clinical experience has shown that this is no likely to be problem with camocep at the recommended dosage levels.

Camocep capsules should be stored below 30C protected from light.

Absorption of Camocep is almost complete, even in the presence of food, and is not adversely affected by coeliac disease, partial gastrectomy, achlorhydria, jaundice or diverticulosis ( duodenal or jejunal). Camocep is excreted in the urine in high concentrations. Camocep has a wide margin of safety.