Medical Information Only: This medication is not sold on this site. The information provided is for reference purposes only. Please consult your local physician or pharmacist for treatment.

Precef: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Precef - General Information

Precef is a second-generation parenteral cephalosporin antibiotic. It has a longer elimination half-life than any currently available cephalosporin. Its activity is very similar to that of cefamandole, a second-generation cephalosporin, except that ceforanide is less active against most gram-positive organisms. Many coliforms, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus, are susceptible to ceforanide, as are most strains of Salmonella, Shigella, Hemophilus, Citrobacter and Arizona species.

 

Pharmacology of Precef

Precef is a semisynthetic second-generation cephalosporin. The cephalosporins are bactericidal drugs with both gram-positive and gram-negative activity. They inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis in a way similar to the penicillins.

 

Additional information about Precef

Precef Indication

For the treatment of infections caused by susceptible organisms.

Mechanism Of Action
The bactericidal activity of ceforanide results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs).
Generic Name
Ceforanide
Synonyms
Ceforanido [INN-Spanish]; Ceforanidum [INN-Latin]
Drug Category
Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Ceforanide
Precef;
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed following intramuscular injection.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Adverse effects following overdosage include nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, diarrhea, and convulsions.
Protein Binding
80.6%
Biotransformation
The major drug elimination route was urinary excretion with 85% of the dose being excreted unchanged in the urine within 12 hr, and no metabolites with antibiotic activity were observed in urine.
Half Life
2.6 to 2.98 hours
Chemical IUPAC Name
(6R,7R)-7-[[2-[2-(aminomethyl)phenyl]acetyl]amino]-3-[[1-(carboxymethyl)tetrazol-5-yl]sulfanylmethyl]-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid
Chemical Formula
C20H21N7O6S2
Organisms Affected
Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria