Do dietary interventions exert clinically important effects on the bioavailability of ß-lactam antibiotics? A systematic review with meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Managing drug-food interactions may help to achieve the optimal action and safety profile of ß-lactam antibiotics. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analyses in adherence to PRISMA guidelines for 32 ß-lactams. We included 166 studies assessing the impact of food, beverages, antacids or mineral supplements on the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters or PK/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices. RESULTS: Eighteen of 25 ß-lactams for which data on food impact were available had clinically important interactions. We observed the highest negative influence of food (AUC or Cmax decreased by >40%) for ampicillin, cefaclor (immediate-release formulations), cefroxadine, cefradine, cloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin V (liquid formulations and tablets) and sultamicillin, whereas the highest positive influence (AUC or Cmax increased by >45%) for cefditoren pivoxil, cefuroxime and tebipenem pivoxil (extended-release tablets). Significantly lower bioavailability in the presence of antacids or mineral supplements occurred for 4 of 13 analysed ß-lactams, with the highest negative impact for cefdinir (with iron salts) and moderate for cefpodoxime proxetil (with antacids). Data on beverage impact were limited to 11 antibiotics. With milk, the extent of absorption was decreased by >40% for cefalexin, cefradine, penicillin G and penicillin V, whereas it was moderately increased for cefuroxime. No significant interaction occurred with cranberry juice for two tested drugs (amoxicillin and cefaclor). CONCLUSIONS: Factors such as physicochemical features of antibiotics, drug formulation, type of intervention, and patient's health state may influence interactions. Due to the poor actuality and diverse methodology of included studies and unproportionate data availability for individual drugs, we judged the quality of evidence as low.

Cefaclor Monohydrate-Loaded Colon-Targeted Nanoparticles for Use in COVID-19 Dependent Coinfections and Intestinal Symptoms: Formulation, Characterization, Release Kinetics, and Antimicrobial Activity.

Corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Although there is no complete treatment protocol for COVID-19, studies on this topic are ongoing, and it is known that broad-spectrum antibiotics such as cephalosporins are used for coinfections and symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Studies have shown that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and coinfections accompanying COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, colon-targeted cefaclor monohydrate (CEF)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-Eudragit S100 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a nanoprecipitation technique. The particle sizes of the CEF-loaded NPs were between 171.4 and 198.8 nm. The encapsulation efficiency was in the range of 58.4%-81.2%. With dissolution studies, it has been concluded that formulations prepared with Eudragit S100 (E-coded) and Eudragit S100+PLGA (EP-coded) are pH-sensitive formulations and they are targetable to the colon, whereas the formulation prepared only with PLGA (P-coded) can release a higher CEF rate in the colon owing to the slow release properties of PLGA. The release kinetics were fitted to the Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull models. The antibacterial activity of E-, EP-, and P-coded formulations was 16-fold, 16-fold, and 2-fold higher than CEF, respectively, for S. aureus and E. coli according to the microdilution results. As a result of the time killing experiment, all formulations prepared were found to be more effective than the antibiotic itself for long periods. Consequently, all formulations prepared in this study hope to guide researchers/clinicians in treating both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria-induced infections, as well as COVID-19 associated coinfections and symptoms.

Cefaclor as a first-line treatment for acute uncomplicated cystitis: a retrospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Wide-spectrum antibiotics have been favored to treat acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) for a long time, leading to the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria. We hypothesize that narrow-spectrum antibiotics might mitigate the issue and aim to investigate the clinical efficacy of cefaclor in patients with AUC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of female outpatients with AUC treated with cefaclor and evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy. Clinical cure was defined as the elimination of clinical symptom under 4 white blood cells (WBCs) per high power field on microscopy. RESULTS: Overall, 223 women with AUC were enrolled. Escherichia coli was the dominant pathogen (n = 160; 68.6%), followed by Klebsiella species and E. coli-extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) (n = 19; 8.1% and n = 18; 7.7%). Overall success rate was 94.0% (n = 219) and susceptibility rate of cefazolin was 84.1%, which was close to that of levofloxacin (82.9%). Ampicillin showed the lowest rate of 63.7% with a significantly greater resistance rate of 35.3% among all antibiotics (P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the success rate in patients with resistance to levofloxacin or cefazolin was 100% (n = 24) or 93.3% (n = 14). The rate in patients with resistance to both antibiotics was 60.0% (n = 9), and the pathogens in the other 40.0% (n = 6) of patients with treatment failure were E. coli-ESBL. CONCLUSION: Cefaclor showed excellent efficacy in AUC patients, even in those with in vitro resistance to cefazolin or levofloxacin. Cefaclor may be considered as a first-line option in patients with AUC and a second-line option for those with levofloxacin treatment failure.

Spectrophotometric analysis of discoloration and internal bleaching after use of different antibiotic pastes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate teeth's antibiotic-induced color differences after bleaching using two different techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty extracted maxillar human incisors were examined. The specimens were randomly divided into six groups, each receiving one of six antibiotic paste fillings: (1) triple antibiotic paste (TAP) with minocycline, (2) double antibiotic paste (DAP), (3) TAP with amoxicillin, (4) TAP with cefaclor, (5) TAP with doxycycline, and (6) no filling (control group). Spectrophotometric measurements were obtained at baseline and then during the first, second, and third weeks after paste placement. The specimens discolored by antibiotics pastes were randomly divided into two subgroups: (1) internal bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and (2) internal bleaching with H2O2 plus Nd-YAG laser irradiation. The ∆E value was calculated and analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The ∆E for all groups showed color differences exceeding the perceptibility threshold (∆E Ëƒ 3.7) at all time points except in the control and DAP groups. Minocycline-induced TAP showed the most severe coronal discoloration (32.42). When the ∆E was examined, thermo/photo bleaching (22.01 ± 8.23) caused more bleaching than walking bleaching (19.73 ± 5.73) at every time point (P = 0.19). No group returned to the original color after bleaching (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Except for DAP, all antibiotic pastes caused discoloration. Internal bleaching with Nd-YAG laser can be useful for bleaching/removing this discoloration. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For clinically successful final appearances, understanding the effects of bleaching procedures on antibiotic paste discoloration is important.

Outcome of Regenerative Endodontic Treatment for an Avulsed Immature Permanent Tooth: A Case Report / 대한소아치과학회지

Dental avulsion, defined as the complete displacement of a tooth from the alveolar bone with consequent loss of the blood and nerve supply, was reported as one of the most severe dental injuries. Avulsion can cause tissue ischemia, which leads to pulp necrosis.Apexification is a conventional treatment method that induces an apical calcified barrier in immature roots with pulp necrosis. However, root development characterized by an increase in the root thickness and length cannot be achieved by apexification.The purpose of this case report was to describe the radiographic and clinical outcomes of regenerative endodontic treatment for the avulsed and necrosed permanent tooth with an immature root after replantation in a 5-year-old girl; the treatment was performed using a mixture of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole and cefaclor, CollaTape and Biodentine.

Use of glass ionomer cement containing antibiotics to seal off infected dentin: a randomized clinical trial.

Dental materials with antibacterial properties can prevent the harmful effects caused by oral cariogenic bacteria. This double-blind controlled clinical trial evaluated the performance of a glass ionomer cement (GIC) added with antibiotics for sealing infected dentin in atraumatic restorations of primary molars. The study enrolled 45 children (45 teeth) between 5 and 8 years of age, of both genders, divided into two groups: GC (n=22), where cavities were lined with a conventional GIC (Vidrion F) and GA (n=23), with cavities lined with Vidrion F added with 1% each of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cefaclor antibiotic. Both groups were restored with Ketac Molar Easymix. Molars with carious lesions on the inner half of dentin without clinical or radiographic pulp damage were selected. Patients were evaluated clinically (pain, fistulas or mobility) and radiographically (area of caries, periapical region and furcation) after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. For statistical analysis, chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used with a 5% significance level. GA (82.6-95.7%) had better results than GC (12.5-36.4%) in all evaluations (p<0.05) and the difference in the success rate was 46.2-72.5% higher for GA. The use of the antibiotic-containing GIC liner on infected dentin proved satisfactory when applied in deciduous teeth.

Use of glass ionomer cement containing antibiotics to seal off infected dentin: a randomized clinical trial

Dental materials with antibacterial properties can prevent the harmful effects caused by oral cariogenic bacteria. This double-blind controlled clinical trial evaluated the performance of a glass ionomer cement (GIC) added with antibiotics for sealing infected dentin in atraumatic restorations of primary molars. The study enrolled 45 children (45 teeth) between 5 and 8 years of age, of both genders, divided into two groups: GC (n=22), where cavities were lined with a conventional GIC (Vidrion F) and GA (n=23), with cavities lined with Vidrion F added with 1% each of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and cefaclor antibiotic. Both groups were restored with Ketac Molar Easymix. Molars with carious lesions on the inner half of dentin without clinical or radiographic pulp damage were selected. Patients were evaluated clinically (pain, fistulas or mobility) and radiographically (area of caries, periapical region and furcation) after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. For statistical analysis, chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests were used with a 5% significance level. GA (82.6-95.7%) had better results than GC (12.5-36.4%) in all evaluations (p<0.05) and the difference in the success rate was 46.2-72.5% higher for GA. The use of the antibiotic-containing GIC liner on infected dentin proved satisfactory when applied in deciduous teeth.

Os materiais dentários com propriedades antibacterianas podem proteger os efeitos nocivos causados por bactérias cariogênicas. Este ensaio clínico controlado duplo-cego avaliou o desempenho do cimento de ionômero de vidro (CIV) associado à antibióticos no selamento da dentina infectada em restaurações atraumáticas de molares decíduos. O estudo envolveu 45 crianças (45 dentes) entre 5 e 8 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, divididos em dois grupos: GC (n=22), onde as cavidades foram forradas com CIV convencional (Vidrion F) e GA (n=23), onde as cavidades foram forradas com Vidrion F contendo 1% de cada um dos antibióticos metronidazole, ciprofloxacina e cefaclor. Ambos os grupos foram restaurados com Ketac Molar Easymix. Molares com lesões de cárie na metade interna da dentina, sem danos pulpares clínicos ou radiográficos foram selecionados. Os pacientes foram avaliados clinicamente (presença de dor, fístulas ou mobilidade) e radiograficamente (área de cárie, região periapical e de furca dos dentes), após 1, 3, 6 e 12 meses. Para a análise estatística o Qui-quadrado ou Exato de Fisher foram utilizados com 5,0% de significância. GA (82,6-95,7%) obteve melhores resultados do que GC (12,5-36,4%) em todas as avaliações (p<0,05) e a diferença na taxa de sucesso foi de 46,2-72,5% maior para GA. O uso do CIV com antibióticos no forramento da dentina infectada foi satisfatório em dentes decíduos.

Effects of cefaclor on gastric emptying and cholecystokinin release in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In rodents, cephalosporin antibiotics can mimic peptones and stimulate release of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone that slows gastric emptying. The rate of gastric emptying is a major determinant of postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations. We therefore evaluated the effect of orally administered cefaclor on plasma CCK and gastric emptying, as well as postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses, in healthy humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 8 healthy subjects on two days in double-blind, randomized order. On each day, subjects consumed 1000 mg cefaclor or placebo 30 min before a mashed potato meal labeled with (13)C octanoic acid. Blood and breath samples were collected for 4h after the meal. RESULTS: Blood glucose, serum insulin and plasma CCK increased in response to the carbohydrate meal on both study days, and cefaclor had no effect on these responses. Similarly, the gastric half-emptying time (measured by breath test) did not differ (placebo: 137.5+/-6.0 min vs. cefaclor: 143.1+/-8.0 min). CONCLUSION: Cefaclor, when given before a meal in the form of a capsule, does not stimulate CCK release or slow gastric emptying in healthy humans.

Antibacterial activity of glass-ionomer cement containing antibiotics on caries lesion microorganisms.

PURPOSE: To assess the total viable bacteria in infected dentin after sealing with glass-ionomer cement containing 1% metronidazole, 1% ciprofloxacin and 1% cefaclor. METHODS: 40 children were selected, with ages ranging from 4-10 years, with primary teeth with active carious lesions without any pulpal involvement. The patients were divided randomly into two groups in accordance to the glass-ionomer cement used to seal the carious lesions: Group 1 (control, n=20), sealing with conventional glass-ionomer cement; and Group 2 (test, n=20) sealing with glassionomer cement including antibiotics. The infected dentin was collected both before and 24 hours after the sealing of the cavities and, after inoculation in blood agar, all the plates were incubated in containers kept at 37 degrees C for 5 days in an atmosphere of 85% N2, 10% CO2 and 5% H2, for subsequent counting of total viable bacteria. RESULTS: The results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. The glass-ionomer cement with 1% of metronidazole, 1% of ciprofloxacin and 1% of cefaclor showed a significantly greater reduction in microbiota in the infected dentin in comparison to the reduction with the conventional ionomer cement (P< 0.01), with a mean reduction of 98.65% of all viable bacteria. The infected dentin after sealing with glass-ionomer cement with antibiotics showed, using scanning electron microscopy, the presence of bacterial aggregates, intertubular dentin with exposure of collagen fibers, and dentin tubules.

Rapid elimination of cefaclor from the cerebrospinal fluid is mediated by a benzylpenicillin-sensitive mechanism distinct from organic anion transporter 3.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the carrier-mediated elimination of cephalosporins from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the choroid plexus. Cefaclor and cefalexin are structural analogs with similar lipophilicity, differing by only one functional group (cefaclor, -Cl; cephalexin, -CH(3)), and they are substrates of rat peptide transporter PEPT2 with similar transport activities. However, cefaclor was cleared from the CSF more rapidly than cefalexin after intracerebroventricular administration (the elimination rate constants were 0.11 and 0.050 min(-1), respectively). The elimination of cefaclor from the CSF was inhibited by benzylpenicillin, but not by glycylsarcosine (GlySar), whereas GlySar, but not benzylpenicillin, had an inhibitory effect on the elimination of cefalexin from the CSF. The uptake of cefaclor by the freshly isolated rat choroid plexus was saturable, with a K(m) value of 250 muM, and the uptake clearance corresponding to saturable components accounts for the major part of the in vivo clearance from the CSF (17 versus 26 mul/min, respectively). The uptake of cefaclor by the choroid plexus was inhibited by benzylpenicillin, but not by GlySar. However, the inhibitory effect of benzylpenicillin was weaker than expected from its own K(m) value, and furthermore, organic anion transporter (Oat)3 substrates (cimetidine or p-aminohippurate) had no effect. These results suggest that cefaclor and cefalexin are eliminated from the CSF by different transporters, and rapid elimination of cefaclor from the CSF is accounted for by a benzylpenicillin-sensitive mechanism distinct from Oat3. A slight modification of a single chemical group of cephalosporins can greatly affect the contribution of the transporters involved, and their duration in the CSF.

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Qingqiao capsule in treating patients with secretory otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingqiao Capsule (QQC) in treating patients with secretory otitis media (SOM). METHODS: A total of 90 patients were randomly assigned into the treated group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45). Patients in the treated group were administrated with QQC, 5 capsules each time, 3 times a day for totally 10-14 days, and those in the control group were given per os cefaclor capsules 0.5 g each time for adult, 3 times a day, or 20 mg/(kg.d) for children, for 10-14 days. The therapeutic efficacy of treatment on the patients was observed and compared after treatment and followed up for 3-6 months. RESULTS: (1) The clinical efficacy in the treated group was superior to that in the control group with significant statistical difference (P < 0.01); (2) Comparison of the efficacies in patients of three different TCM syndrome types (the external pathogenic wind invasion caused auditory orifice stuffiness type, the Gan-Dan damp-heat steaming up auditory orifice type and the Pi-deficiency dysfunction induced dirty dampness blocking ear type) showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05); (3) The vanishing rate and time needed of the main symptoms and signs in the treated group were superior to those in the control group on ear muffle, tinnitus, hearing impairment, hydrotypanum, pure tone threshold and abnormal tongue figure, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), only those of earache, otopiesis and abnormal pulse figure were insignificantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: QQC is an effective Chinese composite medicine on patients with SOM, and shows no obvious adverse reaction.

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of Qingqiao capsule in treating patients with secretory otitis media / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingqiao Capsule (QQC) in treating patients with secretory otitis media (SOM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 90 patients were randomly assigned into the treated group (n = 45) and the control group (n = 45). Patients in the treated group were administrated with QQC, 5 capsules each time, 3 times a day for totally 10-14 days, and those in the control group were given per os cefaclor capsules 0.5 g each time for adult, 3 times a day, or 20 mg/(kg.d) for children, for 10-14 days. The therapeutic efficacy of treatment on the patients was observed and compared after treatment and followed up for 3-6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The clinical efficacy in the treated group was superior to that in the control group with significant statistical difference (P < 0.01); (2) Comparison of the efficacies in patients of three different TCM syndrome types (the external pathogenic wind invasion caused auditory orifice stuffiness type, the Gan-Dan damp-heat steaming up auditory orifice type and the Pi-deficiency dysfunction induced dirty dampness blocking ear type) showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05); (3) The vanishing rate and time needed of the main symptoms and signs in the treated group were superior to those in the control group on ear muffle, tinnitus, hearing impairment, hydrotypanum, pure tone threshold and abnormal tongue figure, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), only those of earache, otopiesis and abnormal pulse figure were insignificantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QQC is an effective Chinese composite medicine on patients with SOM, and shows no obvious adverse reaction.</p>

Bacteriologic efficacies of oral azithromycin and oral cefaclor in treatment of acute otitis media in infants and young children.

A prospective, open-label, randomized study was conducted in order to determine the bacteriologic efficacies of cefaclor and azithromycin in acute otitis media (AOM). Tympanocentesis was performed on entry into the study and 3 to 4 days after initiation of treatment. Bacteriologic failure after 3 to 4 days of treatment with both drugs occurred in a high proportion of culture-positive patients, especially in those in whom AOM was caused by Haemophilus influenzae (16 of 33 [53%] of those treated with azithromycin and 13 of 34 [52%] of those treated with cefaclor). Although a clear correlation of the persistence of the pathogen with increased MICs of the respective drugs could be demonstrated for Streptococcus pneumoniae, no such correlation was found for H. influenzae. It is proposed that susceptibility breakpoints for H. influenzae should be considerably lower than the current ones for both cefaclor and azithromycin for AOM caused by H. influenzae.

Cefaclor into the millennium.

We review the discovery and development of the cephalosporins and subsequently cefaclor. Cefaclor is active against a wide range of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens, acting by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Its in vitro activity compares favourably with other beta-lactam antibiotics. Its pharmacokinetic properties indicate that an 8-hourly dosing schedule is appropriate. In addition a delayed release formulation allowing twice daily dosage has been developed. The efficacy of both formulations of cefaclor has been verified by many clinical trials. Cefaclor has been widely used in infections of the respiratory tract (including otitis media), urinary tract and soft tissues. The results of therapy are summarized. The low incidence of adverse events is highlighted and the beneficial influence of this on compliance is described. Finally, the pharmaco-economics of cefaclor are considered.

Determination of the etiological organism during acute exacerbations of COPD and efficacy of azithromycin, ampicillin-sulbactam, ciprofloxacin and cefaclor. Turkish Thoracic Society COPD Working Group.

Acute exacerbations, most of which are due to lower respiratory tract infections, cause great morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and most of these are due to lower respiratory tract infections. The aim of this study was to determine the causative organism and the effects of azithromycin, ampicillin sulbactam (sultamicillin), ciprofloxacin and cefaclor monohydrate therapy in COPD. One hundred and six patients with COPD in acute exacerbation were randomized into four groups for empiric antibiotic treatment following lung function tests and sputum examination. The most common strains isolated from sputum were Haemophilus influenzae (30.8%), Streptoccocus pneumoniae (12%) and Moraxella catarrhalis (7.7%). Azithromycin, sultamicillin, ciprofloxacin and cefaclor monohydrate were found to be effective in treating COPD exacerbations.

[Selection of antibacterial therapy for treatment of infections in elderly patients]. / Vybor antibakterial'noi terapii pri lechenii infektsii u lits pozhilogo vozrasta.

Examination of 60 elderly outpatients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) revealed that 73 per cent of the patients isolated the pathogen associations and only 27 per cent isolated the monocultures. Grampositive cocci including Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from 70 per cent of the patients, Haemophilus influenzae and H.parainfluenzae were isolated from 20 per cent of the patients and Acinetobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginsa were isolated from 10 per cent of the patients. The patients were treated with ciprofloxacin, cefaclor or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid. Ciprofloxacin proved to be the most efficient agent. The regimens of the ofloxacin use in a dose of 400 mg orally once a day or in a dose of 200 mg intravenously twice a day for 2-4 days followed by the oral use for 6-8 days in the treatment of 24 patients with LRTI hospitalized into a therapeutic unit were compared. it was shown (pharmacokinetically as well) that the regiment with the drug use in the single dose was more efficient. Lomefloxacin was suggested to be the most advantageous drug in the treatment of elderly patients with LRTI because of its easy use, practically no dependence of the pharmacokinetics on the patient age and almost no nephrotoxic action.

Bacteriologic response to oral cephalosporins: are established susceptibility breakpoints appropriate in the case of acute otitis media?

Bacteriologic response to cefuroxime axetil and cefaclor administered for 10 days was evaluated in acute otitis media (AOM) in patients aged 6-36 months. Middle ear fluid culture was obtained by tympanocentesis before treatment, on day 4 or 5 after initiation of treatment, and if clinical relapse occurred before day 17. Bacteriologic failure was observed in 32% of patients receiving cefaclor versus 15% of patients receiving cefuroxime axetil (P = .009). Failure rates increased with increasing MIC: For Streptococcus pneumoniae, 0.5 microg/mL (established as cutoff value for cefuroxime by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS]) discriminated between success and failure. For Haemophilus influenzae, high failure rates were observed for cefaclor, even with low MICs (< or = 1.0 microg/mL), and with both drugs they tended to increase with increasing MIC, even for values below the cutoff suggested by the NCCLS (8.0 and 4.0 microg/mL for cefaclor and cefuroxime, respectively). Thus, for AOM caused by H. influenzae, lower susceptibility cutoff levels for MICs should be established.

Pharmacologic and clinical comparison of cefaclor in immediate-release capsule and extended-release tablet forms.

A new controlled-delivery, extended-release 500-mg formulation of cefaclor that is administered twice daily may improve patient compliance compared with the older, immediate-release 250-mg formulation that is administered three times daily. When the extended-release tablet is administered with food, peak plasma cefaclor concentrations are achieved about 2.5 hours after the dose compared with about 1 hour after a dose with the immediate-release capsule. However, the two formulations have an equivalent extent of absorption and equivalent pharmacokinetics after absorption. Cefaclor has retained its excellent in vitro activity against the pathogens most commonly associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, namely, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Clinical trials show similar efficacy of the two formulations in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis caused by these organisms, but for this indication a 7-day regimen may be used with the extended-release 500-mg formulation compared with a 10-day dosing regimen with the 250-mg capsule. The shorter course of treatment with the new formulation may also improve patient compliance.

Bactericidal eradication from carious lesions of prepared abutments by an antibacterial temporary cement.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to observe the antibacterial potential of polycarboxylate temporary cement containing a mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and cefaclor on carious lesions of prepared abutments that were designed to leave caries on the abutments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antibacterial efficacy was estimated in vitro and in vivo by measuring bacterial recovery from the lesions. Bacteria counts ranged from 10(4) to 10(7) both in vitro (nine samples) and in vivo (five samples) in time-zero samples, just before the application of the antibacterial cement. RESULTS: No bacteria were recovered from carious lesions in vitro (six samples) or in vivo (four samples) after the lesions were covered by the antibacterial temporary cement. For the remaining samples, some bacteria (5 to 80 counts per sample) were recovered, with one notable exception in which marginal leakage provided a bacteria count of 10(3). Bacteria counts ranging from 10(3) to 10(5) occurred in carious lesions covered by temporary cement without antibacterial agents, which indicated that temporary cement alone was not a potent disinfectant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that the antibacterial temporary cement can be useful for eradicating bacteria from carious lesions of prepared abutments.