First-generation cephalosporin
Cefradine
Brand names: Velosef (legacy)
Adult dose
Dose: 250–500mg QDS PO; 500mg–1g IV q6h
Route: Oral / IV
Frequency: QDS
Clinical pearls
- Largely replaced by cefalexin in UK formularies
- BSAC stewardship — narrow-spectrum first-generation use
Contraindications
- Severe beta-lactam hypersensitivity
Side effects
- GI upset
- C. difficile
- Rash
- Hypersensitivity
Interactions
- Probenecid
Monitoring
- Resolution
- C. diff
Reference: BNF; BSAC; UKHSA; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/cefradine/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Pathways
- Infective Endocarditis · ESC 2023 Infective Endocarditis Guidelines; NICE NG41
- Eczema Herpeticum · BAD; NICE CKS
- Suspected Bacterial Meningitis (Adult) · NICE NG240 (2024); NICE NG143 (paeds)
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021
- Returning Traveller — Fever · NaTHNaC; PHE; ESCMID 2018
- Malaria — Diagnosis & Management · PHE 2016; WHO 2023