Cefadroxil

Cefadroxil is a prescription medication used to treat various infectious diseases like Pharyngitis, Skin and Skin Structure Infections, Tonsillitis, Urinary Tract Infections, and Endocarditis.  

• Cefadroxil is available under the following different brand names: Duricef, Ultracef

Adult dosage

Capsule

• 500mg

Oral suspension

• 250mg/5mL
• 500mg/5mL

Tablet

• 1g

Pharyngitis 

Adult dosage

• 1 g orally once daily or divided every 12 hours for 10 days

Skin & Skin Structure Infections

Adult dosage

• 1 g orally once daily or divided every 12 hours

Tonsillitis 

Adult dosage

• 1 g orally once daily or divided every 12 hours for 10 days

Urinary Tract Infections

Adult dosage

• 2 g orally once daily or divided every 12 hours

Endocarditis

Adult dosage 

• Prophylaxis (dental, upper respiratory procedure): 2 g orally 1 hour before procedure

Pediatric dosage

• Prophylaxis (dental, upper respiratory procedure): 50 mg/kg orally 1 hour before procedure, no more than 2 g

Susceptible Infections 

Pediatric dosage

• 30 mg/kg/day orally divided every 12 hours

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Pediatric dosage

• 30 mg/kg orally once daily for 10 days; not to exceed 1 g/dose

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See "Dosages."

Common side effects of Cefadroxil include:

• diarrhea, 
• stomach pain, and
• vaginal itching or discharge

Serious side effects of Cefadroxil include:

• hives, 
• difficult breathing, 
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• severe stomach pain, 
• bloody or watery stools (even if it occurs months after the last dose), 
• fever, 
• chills, 
• body aches, 
• flu symptoms, 
• pale skin, 
• easy bruising, 
• unusual bleeding, 
• seizure, 
• fever, 
• weakness, 
• confusion, 
• dark colored urine, 
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), 
• little or no urination, 
• swelling in the feet or ankles, 
• tiredness, and 
• shortness of breath

Rare side effects of Cefadroxil include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Cefadroxil has severe interactions with no other drugs. 
• Cefadroxil has serious interactions with the following drugs:
• BCG vaccine live
  • cholera vaccine
  • typhoid vaccine live
• Cefadroxil has moderate interactions with at least 16 other drugs.
• Cefadroxil has minor interactions with at least 60 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefadroxil?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cefadroxil?”

Cautions

• Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity); prolonged use may result in superinfection.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• May be acceptable during pregnancy.
• Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution.