Loracarbef (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Lorabid

Proper Use of This Medicine

Loracarbef should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after meals.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking loracarbef for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you have a ``strep'' infection, you should keep taking this medicine for at least 10 days. This is especially important in ``strep'' infections. Serious heart problems could develop later if your infection is not cleared up completely. Also, if you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing-

The dose of loracarbef will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of loracarbef. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking loracarbef.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules or oral suspension):
  • For bronchitis:
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-200 to 400 milligrams (mg) every twelve hours for seven days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Use and dose to be determined by your doctor.
  • For otitis media (ear infection):
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For pneumonia:
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-400 mg every twelve hours for fourteen days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Use and dose to be determined by your doctor.
  • For sinusitis:
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-400 mg every twelve hours for ten days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Use and dose to be determined by your doctor.
  • For skin and soft tissue infections:
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-200 mg every twelve hours for seven days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For streptococcal pharyngitis (``strep throat''):
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-200 mg every twelve hours for ten days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For urinary tract infections:
    • Adults and children 13 years of age and older-200 to 400 mg every twelve to twenty-four hours for seven to fourteen days.
    • Children 6 months to 12 years of age-Use and dose to be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose-

If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood or urine. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 06/20/1995

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