Cefadroxil
Description
Cefadroxil is an antibiotic medicine that is used to treat bacterial infections of the throat, skin, soft tissues, urinary tract, etc. Cefadroxil is available in different dosage forms like tablet, tablet DT, capsule, syrup, powder for suspension and injection. It kills the bacteria, thereby stopping the infection from spreading. This medicine is not effective against infections caused by viruses. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine alone or in combination with other medications to treat bacterial infections.
Cefadroxil may cause side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Consult your doctor if any side effects persist or worsen. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. The syrup and powder for suspension of cefadroxil are mainly given in children from 1 month to 11 years of age. The tablet, capsule and injection forms are not recommended in children below 12 years of age. Cefadroxil is not recommended for use in infants below 1 month of age due to the lack of safety data.
Cefadroxil oral forms should be taken with or without food. Cefadroxil injection will be given by your doctor in the hospital setting. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Once an antibiotic is started, it is always recommended to finish the entire course of the treatment. Taking an antibiotic when it is not required can make it less effective for future infections.
Cefadroxil effects may be delayed when taken immediately after receiving live vaccines. Therefore, take Cefadroxil at least 1-2 hours after taking the vaccine. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, are breastfeeding before taking this medicine. If you have liver or kidney problems, do not use Cefadroxil without consulting your doctor. Cefadroxil is not recommended for use in case of a common cold, flu or other viral infections.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cefadroxil
- Diarrhoea
- Fever with chills
- Black or tarry stools
- Redness of skin
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Difficulty or painful urination
- Acid or sour stomach
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Uses of Cefadroxil
What is it prescribed for?
- Pyelonephritis
- Pharyngitis/Tonsilitis
- Cystitis
- Impetigo
- Skin and Soft tissue infections
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Cefadroxil can be observed within 1 to 1.5 hours of administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Cefadroxil lasts for about 8 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Cefadroxil.
- Usage in pregnancy?Cefadroxil is considered safe to use in pregnancy for treating bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects in the foetus. Hence, it is acceptable for use on your doctor's recommendation.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Cefadroxil is safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk in fewer amounts. Hence, it should only be used if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the baby. If this medicine is used in your breastfeeding, the infant should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and diaper rash.
Allergy
Avoid using Cefadroxil if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is any history of allergy to cefadroxil. If you experience any symptoms like a skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc., inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Cefadroxil is considered safe to use in pregnancy for treating bacterial infections. It is not known to cause birth defects in the foetus. Hence, it is acceptable for use on your doctor's recommendation.
Breast-feeding
Cefadroxil is safe to use during breastfeeding. It enters into breast milk in fewer amounts. Hence, it should only be used if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risk to the baby. If this medicine is used in your breastfeeding, the infant should be observed for symptoms such as diarrhoea and diaper rash.
General warnings
Allergy
Cefadroxil is likely to cause allergic skin reactions such as photosensitivity in some people. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any allergic symptoms after taking this medicine.
Diarrhoea
Cefadroxil can cause diarrhoea because it may also kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. Inform your doctor if you experience severe diarrhoea while receiving this medicine.
Liver disease
Cefadroxil may increase liver enzyme levels and cause liver swelling. Hence, maintain caution while using Cefadroxil as it can increase the risk of liver damage.
Antibiotic resistance
The entire course of treatment with Cefadroxil should be completed, even if the condition gets better after taking few doses to avoid antibiotic resistance (a condition where microbes evolve mechanisms that protect them from the effects of antibiotics).
Driving or operating machines
Cefadroxil may cause confusion or fits. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after taking this medicine.
Use in children
The tablet, capsule and injection form of cefadroxil is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy data is not available.
Cefadroxil is not recommended for use in infants below 1 month.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Do not skip a scheduled dose of cefadroxil. In case you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been delayed for more than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Injectable forms: since Cefadroxil injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of missing a dose are low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of cefadroxil.
Injectable form: Cefadroxil injection is administered in a hospital setting by your doctor, so the likelihood of an overdose is rare. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Chloramphenicol
Ethinyl Estradiol
Furosemide
Live cholera vaccine
Disease interactions
Colitis
Colitis is the swelling of the large intestine. Cefadroxil can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and lead to diarrhoea. Therefore use this tablet with extreme caution if there is any stomach and intestinal problem as it may worsen your health condition.
Seizure disorders
A seizure is a brain disorder that occurs due to sudden neurological disturbances. Avoid using Cefadroxil or maintain caution if you have any seizure episodes, as it can worsen your health condition.
Kidney diseases
Cefadroxil is filtered by the kidney and excreted through urine. Hence, maintain caution while using Cefadroxil if you have kidney problems as it can increase the risk of kidney damage.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms (Tablets, capsules, syrups): Take Cefadroxil with or without food. Never take/give more than the prescribed dose. Use this medicine at around the same time daily. Finish the entire course of treatment even if you feel better by taking few doses, as abrupt stopping may worsen your condition.
Tablet DT: Cefadroxil tablet DT dissolves quickly and easily in water. It can be dispersed in a teaspoonful or a glass of boiled and cooled water before administration. Do not administer if the tablet is not dissolved/dispersed completely in the water.
Dry syrup: Add water up to the mark to the cefadroxil dry syrup, shake the contents for uniform mixing. Ensure that medicine particles are dissolved properly. Measure an appropriate dose using the measuring spoon, cup or dropper.
Injectable forms: Cefadroxil injection will be given to the vein in the hospital setting by your doctor. Hence do not self-administer. Inform your doctor if you notice any undesirable side effects. It is advised not to drive or drink alcohol as it may cause dizziness.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Cefadroxil kills the bacteria by preventing the formation of bacterial cell walls. It stops the growth and multiplication of bacteria. Thus it treats the infection.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
First generation Cephalosporins
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Cefadroxil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 1 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - cefadroxil- Cefadroxil tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 September 2021].
2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 23 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.