Cephradine

Pronunciation: Pronunciation not available from research notes.

Generic name: cephradine
Brand names: Velocef (historical)
Drug class: First-generation cephalosporin antibacterial
Form: Unresolved; no current product information verified
Route: Unresolved; route not confirmed from current product information
Legal status: Historical prescription medicine; current regulatory status unverified

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country:

What cephradine is and how it works

Cephradine is a first-generation cephalosporin antibacterial. Historical indications included susceptible urinary-tract infections and pharyngitis. Current regulatory status and availability are not confirmed; this page is based on historical references and class-level pharmacological information. (1) (2)

This historical reference is not a substitute for current prescribing information. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections only, not viral illnesses. A clinician must evaluate any current use, allergy, or resistance pattern.

Mechanism of action: how cephradine works

Cephradine is a semisynthetic first-generation cephalosporin that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins, leading to bactericidal activity primarily against susceptible Gram-positive cocci and some Enterobacteriaceae. (1) (2)

What cephradine is used for

Historical bacterial infections

Cephradine was historically used for susceptible urinary-tract infections and pharyngitis. No current approved indication can be confirmed; treatment decisions require a current clinician assessment and local susceptibility data. (1)

Before taking cephradine

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not take cephradine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any cephalosporin antibiotic unless a specialist determines otherwise after a careful risk assessment. (all products) (2)
Do not use cephradine or any antibacterial to treat a viral illness (e.g., common cold, influenza) as it will not be effective and may increase resistance risk. (all indications) (1)

Tell your clinician about

Any history of allergy to penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics (cross-reactivity risk is possible).
Kidney disease or reduced kidney function, because dose adjustment may be needed (no current cephradine-specific guidance available).
History of gastrointestinal disease, especially antibiotic-associated colitis.
Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
A complete list of all prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, and herbal products.

(2) (1)

How to take cephradine

Cephradine is an antibacterial medicine. Because no current product-specific dosing is available, do not attempt to self-dose or use historical references; a clinician must provide exact instructions.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2)

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, consult the prescribing clinician for advice. Do not take extra medicine or alter the next dose without professional guidance.

Overdose

In case of suspected overdose, seek immediate medical attention or contact a poison control center. Be prepared to provide information on the product, amount, and time of ingestion. (1)

Side effects

Individual reactions may vary. No current cephradine-specific frequency data are confirmed. The following are based on class-level evidence and limited historical reports.

Diarrhoea

What to notice: Loose or watery stools, which may be mild to moderate.

What to do: Maintain hydration; inform the prescriber if diarrhoea is severe, persistent, or bloody. (2) (1)

Hypersensitivity reactions

What to notice: Skin rash, hives (urticaria), itching, or rarely swelling of the face/tongue/throat.

What to do: Report any rash or allergic symptoms promptly. Seek emergency help if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing. (2)

Severe or bloody diarrhoea (potential C. difficile-associated diarrhoea)

What to notice: Frequent watery stools, abdominal cramps, fever, and possibly blood or mucus in stool, occurring during or even weeks after treatment.

What to do: Do not use anti-diarrhoea medicines without medical advice. Contact your clinician immediately. (2)

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

What to notice: Rapid onset of difficulty breathing, throat tightness, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, severe rash, dizziness, or collapse.

What to do: Call emergency services immediately. Do not delay. (2)

Serious warnings

Anaphylaxis — emergency

Symptoms: Sudden difficulty breathing, wheezing, throat or tongue swelling, fast heartbeat, fainting, or a combination of severe skin and systemic symptoms.

Action: Seek emergency medical attention immediately. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed and available. (2)

C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) — serious

Symptoms: Severe, persistent, or bloody diarrhoea with abdominal pain and fever, which can occur during or weeks after antibiotic treatment.

Action: Do not take antidiarrhoeals that slow gut movement; contact a clinician urgently for evaluation and management. (2)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
No cephradine-specific drug interaction list verified	Potential interactions based on class: increased nephrotoxicity with aminoglycosides, possible effect on coagulation with anticoagulants, and interference with certain laboratory tests. No current product information available.	Give your clinician and pharmacist a complete list of all medicines, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements, before starting treatment. (2)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Limited published data on cephradine in pregnancy. In breastfeeding, levels in milk appear to be low, but occasional infant gastrointestinal effects (diarrhoea, thrush) have been reported with cephalosporins. The clinical significance is uncertain. Discuss benefits and risks with your healthcare provider. (1) (2)

Children and adolescents

No current paediatric dosing or safety data verified for cephradine. Treatment in this age group must be guided by a paediatric specialist using up-to-date information. (1)

Renal impairment

Cephradine is eliminated primarily by the kidneys. Dose adjustment may be necessary in kidney disease, but no cephradine-specific guidance is available from a current label. A clinician must determine an appropriate regimen based on renal function. (2)

Monitoring

Before starting

Confirm that a bacterial infection is present and that cephradine is an appropriate choice based on current local resistance patterns and clinical guidelines.
Assess renal function, allergy history (especially to beta-lactams), and for any signs of gastrointestinal disease.
Obtain a complete medication history to screen for potential interactions.

During treatment

Monitor for signs of hypersensitivity, diarrhoea, and superinfection (e.g., oral or vaginal thrush).
In patients with renal impairment, monitor kidney function if extended treatment is used.
If symptoms persist or worsen, reassess antibiotic choice.

(2)

Storage

No current product storage information available. If a product is obtained, refer to the packaging and pharmacist for specific instructions.

Professional information

Information below is historical and class-based only. No current prescribing label has been verified. Clinical decisions must rely on up-to-date local product information and susceptibility data.

All regions

Indication: Any use

Dose summary: No current dose recommendations verified. Do not use any historical or internet-derived dosing schedule without a clinician's explicit direction.

Renal context: Renal adjustment is potentially required but cannot be specified; seek specialist advice. (1) (2)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No current cephradine-specific hepatic impairment data available.

Overdose note

In overdose, gastrointestinal symptoms and seizures have been reported with cephalosporins. Management is supportive; seek immediate specialist or poison center guidance. (1) (2)

Frequently asked questions

Is cephradine still available on the market?

Current market availability has not been confirmed. Regulatory status varies by country. Consult local drug regulatory authorities or a pharmacist to check whether a licensed product is available. (1)

Can I take cephradine if I am allergic to penicillin?

Cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins is possible, but the risk is low, especially with later-generation cephalosporins. A careful allergy history and, in some cases, skin testing should guide the decision. Do not take cephradine without discussing your penicillin allergy with a clinician. (2)

Is cephradine safe while breastfeeding?

Limited data suggest that cephradine passes into breastmilk in low amounts. Occasional infant side effects such as diarrhoea or oral thrush have been reported with cephalosporins. The decision to use cephradine while breastfeeding should balance the mother's clinical need against the potential infant effects; consult your healthcare provider. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of cephradine?

What is the generic name of Cephradine?

The generic name is cephradine. It is sold under brand names including Velocef (historical). (1) (2)

What class of drug is cephradine?

Cephradine is classed as: First-generation cephalosporin antibacterial. (1) (2)

References

Cephradine - NLM resources (MeSH, LactMed, PubChem)U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
Cephalosporins - StatPearls - NCBI BookshelfStatPearls, U.S. National Library of Medicine · United States · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 2

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient cephradine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

View brands in additional countries.