Lorabid (Oral)

Lorabid (Oral) is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It works by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. This medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Lorabid is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

In some patients, loracarbef may cause diarrhea.

• Severe diarrhea may indicate a serious side effect. Do not take any medicine for diarrhea without first consulting your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make your diarrhea worse or last longer.
• For mild diarrhea, you may take diarrhea medicine that contains kaolin or attapulgite (e.g., Kaopectate tablets, Diasorb). However, do not take other types of diarrhea medicine, as they may make your diarrhea worse or last longer.
• If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or worsens, contact your health care professional.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of children aged 6 months and older. At effective doses, it has not shown different side effects or problems compared to adults.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of elderly patients and has not shown different side effects or problems in older adults compared to younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others can be used together even if there may be an interaction. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. The following interactions are highlighted for their potential importance but may not include all possible interactions.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Kidney disease—Kidney disease may raise the blood level of loracarbef, increasing the chance of side effects.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Itching
• Skin rash

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain

Rare

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Itching or discharge from the vagina
• Nervousness
• Trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Lorabid
• Lorabid Pulvules

Pharmacologic Class: 2nd Generation Cephalosporin

Chemical Class: Carbacephem

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 this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine 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 using the medicine.

• 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 miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. 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

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.