Lorabid is an effective antibiotic used mainly to treat infections caused by a particular type of bacteria. The disease kills bacteria by preventing the process of wall formation, which inhibits the bacteria’s growth. Though Lorabid is not available in the market today as a brand, a number of its products are available in generic forms. It is advisable not to take it if one has the common cold or other viral diseases. The antibiotic is available in the form of capsules and a powder, and should be taken on a doctor’s advice.
Lorabid is a medication of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, the other forms being cefaclor, cefprozil, cephalexin, and cefuroxime. The other forms of antibiotics present in the cephalosporin class help Lorabid stop the growing bacteria and prevent them from forming a wall around themselves. The formation of a wall is highly important for the bacteria, as it protects the bacteria from the environment and allows them to store the contents of the bacterial cell together. The bacteria cannot survive at all without a cell wall.
Lorabid works effectively against all types of bacteria, such as bacteria relating to pneumonia, E. coli, and streptococcus aureus and haemophilus. In the year 1991, Lorabid was approved by the FDA, but after 2006, it was stopped and is now completely restricted from the list of drugs from which doctors can prescribe to patients.
Lorabid was highly useful in treating diseases such as mild-to-moderate infections caused mainly by microorganisms in various indications:
- Infections that occur mainly in the lower respiratory tract like S. pneumoniae, which causes acute bronchitis.
- Infections caused by H. Influenza and M. Catarrhalis, which are part of the lactamase-producing strains. Infections such as pneumonia, influenza, and catarrhalis all have acute bacterial exacerbations in the form of chronic bronchitis. The infections tend to occur repeatedly, even after treatment is completed.
Most of the infections occur in the upper respiratory tract, and individuals tend to suffer from otitis media caused by various infections, such as H. Influenzae, S. Pneumonia, or pyogenes. Other infections that occur in the respiratory tract are acute maxillary sinusitis, which occurs due to H. Influenzae, S. Pneumonia, or M. Catarrhalis. Lorabid is provided either in capsule or powder form for suspension.
Find More About Lorabid
Lorabid is very powerful and can be used when suffering from various health problems, but you should inform the doctor about the various allergies you may have.
If you suffer from any allergies, you should inform your doctor immediately before starting treatment. Most people are allergic to various items, such as food products, preservatives, and dyes, which are the most common. Tell the doctor about any specific medication you had previously taken or if you are allergic to any drugs in the cephalosporin family.
The medicine does not cause any different side effects in children than it does in adults.
Effectiveness During Pregnancy
Even among the elderly, the medicine remains effective without causing any serious side effects. But for pregnant women, the effect of the medicine varies depending on the conditions and health issues present. The effect of the medicine mainly depends on not only hormonal changes, but also the fact that the drug is passed to the baby and can cause reactions. The interactions of the drug vary greatly during pregnancy, so the medicine is given to patients in various dosages. The dosages are given under strict supervision to avoid any unwanted situations.
According to a medical study, Lorabid is a B category drug, so it is safe to take during pregnancy. But it should be given only after a doctor’s consultation and only if it has more benefits than risks. Every action or side effect of any medication tends to vary with pregnancy. This is not only because of the difference in metabolism of pregnant women due to hormonal changes, but also because every drug or its metabolite tends to pass to the baby as well and can induce a reaction. In such cases, strict supervision is observed by the doctor to avoid any untoward incident.
When breastfeeding, the drug will be passed to the baby through the breast milk. The dosages are completely dependent on the state and health of the mother and child. Breastfeeding becomes more of a concern when the mother is on medications that could affect the child. Make sure to discuss all health issues with the doctor before taking this medication. Always have a complete medical check-up before starting any dosages or courses of medication.
Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Lorabid.
Before starting treatment, your doctor should be informed about conditions such as:
- Allergies: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any foods, preservatives, or dyes, or if you had an allergic reaction when you used this drug previously. Also, let the doctor know if you are allergic to other antibiotics of the cephalosporin family.
- Children: The medicine does not cause any different side effects in children than it does in adults.
- Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problems in elderly patients than it does in younger adults.
- Pregnancy: Every action or side effect of any medication tends to vary with pregnancy. This is not only due to the difference in the metabolism of pregnant women due to hormonal changes, but also because every drug or its metabolite tends to pass to the baby as well and can induce a reaction. Drug interactions tend to vary greatly during pregnancy, hence, there can be variations in dosages as well. In such cases, strict supervision is observed by the doctor to avoid any untoward incident. Lorabid is a category B drug that is safe in pregnancy, however, it should be given only when the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Breastfeeding: There is a chance that a part of the drug will be secreted into the breast milk, which would then pass to the baby. The dosage always differs when it comes to the mother and the baby. Some drugs tend to have certain side effects if taken when there is no disease. Breastfeeding is a concerning situation when the mother is on certain medications. Always check with the doctor before starting any medication, whether it will have any side effects on the baby, and how much is excreted in the breast milk and what harm it can cause. There are no adequate studies that prove Loracarbef passes into breast milk. If you are using Loracarbef while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors. Other antibiotics from the cephalosporins are shown to get excreted into breast milk, but in smaller amounts. However, there are no reports yet of those having any adverse effects on small children. Also, other antibiotics of beta-lactam have been deemed compatible when it comes to breastfeeding.
- Drug interactions: Loracarbef may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines you are taking, as the dosage or the drug entirely may need to be changed.
Some of these medications include:
- Diuretics (furosemide), because they may increase the risk of kidney side effects
- Anticoagulants (warfarin or heparin), because the risk of bleeding may be increased
- Certain common medications which have been checked in combination with lorabid, such as lorazepam, albuterol, cisapride, carvedilol, naproxen, coreg, l-tyrosine, esidrix, Ventolin, ibuprofen, Lortab, mavik, or propulsid
Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.
Make sure to inform the doctor of conditions such as:
- Kidney disease: This may increase drug levels in the blood and thus its side effects.
- Lorabid is known to cause interactions with four specific diseases, so inform your doctor if you are suffering from any of these conditions. The four include dialysis, colitis, liver disease, and renal dysfunction.
To use Lorabid properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any queries.
You should complete the full course of the drug. Even if you are feeling well, do not stop the treatment unless it is completed, as your symptoms may reappear.
It should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.
If an individual is suffering from a strep infection, they should continue taking this medication for at least ten days. Check with the doctor before stopping use. If the medication dosage is not completed as prescribed, it can lead to serious heart problems. After stopping this medication, there are also chances of symptoms pertaining to the infection returning. This medicine works best when there is a constant amount and flow of blood and urine in the body. To maintain this continuity, one should not miss out on a dose; they should be taken at evenly-spaced times throughout the day.
Dosage is different for each patient. The dosage mentioned below is an average dose. It is best to take each dose at equally-spaced times, day and night.
For oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):
For children six months to twelve years of age, the dose is determined by the doctor.
Dosage for adults and children thirteen years of age and older:
- For bronchitis: 200 to 400 milligram (mg) every twelve hours for seven days.
- For pneumonia: 400 mg every twelve hours for fourteen days.
- For sinusitis: 400 mg every twelve hours for ten days.
- For skin and soft tissue infections: 200 mg every twelve hours for seven days.
- For streptococcal pharyngitis (“strep throat''): 200 mg every twelve hours for ten days.
- For urinary tract infections: 200 to 400 mg every twelve to twenty-four hours for seven to fourteen days.
- For otitis media or ear infections: Dosage is dependent on body weight and is determined by the doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.
Store the medicine at room temperature. Keep it away from children. Do not freeze the oral form of this medication. If the remaining portion is not used, it should be thrown out after fourteen days.
Make sure you meet with your doctor when using Lorabid to avoid unwanted potential side effects.
All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience minor or no side effects.
Consult your doctor if they become problematic or frequent.
Most common symptoms are:
The side effects listed below would need urgent medical attention, so keep a watch out for these:
- Decrease in urination
- Severe cases of vomiting or nausea
- Cramps or stomach pain that become severe
- Irregular breathing
- Swelling in various parts of the body, such as the lips, mouth, or tongue
- Stools which contain blood
- Seizures
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Unusual cases of bleeding or bruising
- Irritation in the vagina
- Skin or eyes turning yellow
This is not a complete list of side effects; others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
