cefadroxil
Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections. It is also available as an affordable generic.
What is Cefadroxil?
What is Cefadroxil used for?
- Urinary tract infections (bladder infections)
- Skin infections
- Throat infections (strep throat)
- Tonsil infections (tonsillitis)
How Cefadroxil works
Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from making their own protective covering.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cefadroxil
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
Less Common Side Effects
- Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting
- Genital problems, including itching and yeast infection
- Joint pain
- Fever
Cefadroxil serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: itching or hives, swelling of your face or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Loose, watery stools (diarrhea), severe stomach pain or cramps, fever, nausea (these are signs of a serious C. difficile infection)
- Severe skin reactions: painful rash that turn into blisters, skin peeling
- Liver failure
- Low blood platelets
The following Cefadroxil side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
chills
clay-colored stools
cough or hoarseness
dark-colored urine
difficulty with moving
feeling of discomfort
fever with or without chills
flushing or redness of the skin
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
inflammation of the joints
joint or muscle pain
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
muscle aches
muscle pain or stiffness
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rash
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain, continuing
swollen lymph glands
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually warm skin
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
back, leg, or stomach pains
coughing up blood
diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
general body swelling
high fever
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
increased thirst
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
nosebleeds
pale skin
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
seizures
shortness of breath
sudden decrease in the amount of urine
swollen or painful glands
tightness in the chest
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight loss
vomiting of blood
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Cefadroxil
Pros
- Treats many types of bacterial infections and has generally few side effects
- Taken once or twice a day, compared to some other antibiotics that are taken more often
- Can be taken with or without food
- Is an affordable generic medication and comes in different forms: tablet, capsule, and suspension
Cons
- May not be a good option if you have colitis or other digestive tract problems
- Not recommended to be used for the cold or flu (since these are viral illnesses)
- If you're allergic to penicillins or other cephalosporin antibiotics, you might not be able to take this medication.
- May have to adjust your dose if you have severe kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Cefadroxil
- Finish all of the medication your provider gives you, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early can cause the bacteria to develop resistance.
- You may have diarrhea or an upset stomach when taking this medication, but it should get better soon after finishing the course. Taking cefadroxil with food or a daily probiotic may help with these symptoms. If the diarrhea gets worse, tell your provider.
- If you have kidney disease, you may need a lower dose than usual to avoid build-up of the medication. Your provider or pharmacist will determine the right dose for you based on your kidney labs.
- Store the suspension in the fridge and shake well before using. Discard the bottle after 14 days or after you have completed the total number of days that the provider prescribed. Using old, expired antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance and development of other infections.
- Tell your provider or get medical help right away if you get a rash, itchy skin, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face or throat.
Common questions about Cefadroxil
Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic and amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. Both antibiotics kill bacteria by preventing the bacteria from making their own protective covering. These antibiotics are often used to treat similar types of infections. However, there are some differences as well, so you cannot substitute one for another. Make sure to use cefadroxil only under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Cefadroxil is used to treat various types of infections. There are other antibiotics that can treat more types of infections or more serious infections. Keep in mind that "stronger" antibiotics are not always the best choice. Your provider will choose the antibiotic that is best for you.
Cefadroxil will start working right away to fight the infection in your body. You should start to feel better within the first few days, but continue to take the full course of your medication even if you feel like you don't need it anymore. If you are feeling worse after taking cefadroxil for a few days, check back with your healthcare provider because the cefadroxil might not be working well against the bacteria that's causing the infection.
For throat and tonsil infections, take cefadroxil for a total of 10 days. If you have a urinary tract or skin infection, your provider will determine the right amount of time for you to take this antibiotic.
Cefadroxil is typically used for infections caused by strep, staph, and/or E. coli, as well as some other bacteria.
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Risks and warnings for Cefadroxil
Cefadroxil can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History of allergy to penicillin or other cephalosporin antibiotics
If you've had an allergic reaction from taking penicillin-type or cephalosporin antibiotics, such as trouble breathing or swelling of your face and throat, let your provider know before taking this medication. Cefadroxil may not be right for you and your provider may prescribe another antibiotic. If you experience those allergic reactions after starting on cefadroxil, seek medical attention immediately.
C. Difficile diarrhea
- Risk factors: Taking cefadroxil for a long time | Recent use of other antibiotics
In rare cases, taking antibiotics like cefadroxil can increase your chance of getting a serious bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea. This can happen up to two months after you finish taking antibiotics. If you develop severe diarrhea with watery stools after you finish the medication, talk to your provider.
Kidney problems
- Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Age 65 and older
Your body removes cefadroxil through the kidneys. If your kidneys are not working properly, you are more likely to have a build-up of cefadroxil in your body which can lead to other problems. Your provider or pharmacist will determine the right dose for you based on your kidney labs.
Drug-resistant bacteria
- Risk factors: Taking cefadroxil for a non-bacterial infection
You should only take cefadroxil for bacterial infections. Using cefadroxil or other antibiotics when they are not necessary can lead to drug-resistant bacteria, which are much harder to treat.
New infection
- Risk factors: Taking cefadroxil for too long
Since cefadroxil doesn't kill all bacteria, some bacteria may survive, multiply, and cause a new infection known as a "superinfection". If you develop a new fever, or get sicker while taking cefadroxil, or you find that you're not feeling better after you're done with the medication, talk to your provider right away.
Cefadroxil dosage
Typical dosage for Cefadroxil
Adults:
- Urinary tract infection: The typical dose is 1-2 grams by mouth per day, taken once daily or divided into 2 equal doses and taken two times a day. The specific dose will depend on the type of urinary tract infection that you have.
- Skin infection: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth once daily or 500 mg by mouth twice daily.
- Throat and tonsil infection: The typical dose is 1 gram by mouth once daily or 500 mg by mouth twice daily for 10 days.
Children:
- Urinary tract infection: The typical dose is 30 mg/kg/day total, divided into 2 equal doses and taken by mouth every 12 hours.
- Skin infection: The typical dose is 30 mg/kg/day total, divided into 2 equal doses and taken by mouth every 12 hours. If it's for impetigo (school sores), your child may be able to take the dose once a day.
- Throat and tonsil infection: The typical dose is 30 mg/kg/day total, taken by mouth once daily or divided into 2 equal doses and taken by mouth every 12 hours.
Interactions between Cefadroxil and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Desogestrel
- Dienogest
- Drospirenone
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Gestodene
- Levonorgestrel
- Mestranol
- Nomegestrol
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Warfarin
How much does Cefadroxil cost?
$13.75
What are alternatives to Cefadroxil?
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