• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is cefadroxil?
Cefadroxil is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotics. It works by fighting bacteria in your body. Cefadroxil is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. Cefadroxil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of cefadroxil?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms;

• unusual bleeding or bruising;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, upset stomach;

• joint pain; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take cefadroxil?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Use this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefadroxil will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Cefadroxil can be taken on an empty stomach or with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.

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What is the most important information I should know about cefadroxil?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefadroxil, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Fortaz, Keflex, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillin). Also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or a stomach or intestinal disorder. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Cefadroxil will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect cefadroxil?
There may be other drugs that can affect cefadroxil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start taking a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Cefadroxil has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies failed to reveal evidence of fetal harm. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Cefadroxil should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

The Michigan Medicaid surveillance study does not reveal an association between cefadroxil and congenital defects. This report is a summary of information from two studies, one in which 99 of 104,000 pregnant women from 1980 to 1983, and one in which 722 of 229,000 pregnant women from 1985 to 1992 received cefadroxil. In the first study, eight total defects and one cardiovascular defect were observed (six and one were expected, respectively). In the second study, fewer total and cardiovascular defects were observed than expected. Cleft palate was not observed in either study.

Cefadroxil is excreted into human milk in small amounts. However, no adverse effects in nursing infants have been reported. Cefadroxil is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Following a single 1 gram oral dose to six lactating women, peak milk cefadroxil levels were observed at six to seven hours, averaging 1.83 mcg per mL. These levels are low and are not expected to cause adverse effects in nursing infants.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to cefadroxil or other cephalosporins.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a cefadroxil overdose are not known.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cefadroxil?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to cefadroxil or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as: cefaclor (Ceclor); cefdinir (Omnicef); cefditoren (Spectracef); cefixime (Suprax); cefprozil (Cefzil); ceftazidime (Fortaz); cefuroxime (Ceftin); cephalexin (Keflex); and others. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have: kidney disease, or a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use cefadroxil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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