Abstract

Cephradine (Eskacef - SKF; Velosef - Squibb) is a new semi-synthetic cephalosporin for oral use. Like other cephalosporins it is active against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens, apparently including penicillinase-producing staphylococci (though this has been questioned¹). It is advertised as having ‘new striking power’, but from the data provided its spectrum of activity closely resembles that of cephalexin (Ceporex - Glaxo; Keflex - Lilly),² and the promotional literature on cephradine makes no direct comparison between the two drugs.