Drug Status in USA : Approved Drug Status in Canada : Approved
pronunciation
pronounced as (sef a drox' il)
Why is this medication prescribed?
Cefadroxil is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as infections of the skin, throat, tonsils, and urinary tract. Cephalexin is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.
Antibiotics such as cefadroxil will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
How should this medicine be used?
Cefadroxil comes as a capsule, tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 12 or 24 hours . Take cefadroxil at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cefadroxil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Take cefadroxil with food to reduce nausea and stomach upset.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cefadroxil. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.
Continue to take cefadroxil until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop taking cefadroxil too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
What are the precautions to be followed?
Before taking cefadroxil,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cefadroxil; other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor , cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), cefuroxime (Zinacef), or cephalexin (Keflex); penicillin antibiotics, or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cefadroxil capsules, tablets, or suspension.Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon
large intestine
),or kidney disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking cefadroxil, call your doctor.
What are possible side effects of this medication ?
Cefadroxil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
diarrhea
vomiting
genital itching
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
rash
itching
hives
difficulty breathing or swallowing
wheezing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes
a return of sore throat, chills or other signs of infection
yellowing of your skin or eyes
pain in the upper right part of your stomach
dark urine
clay colored or white stools
How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules and tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and dispose of any unused medication after 14 days. . .
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
Drug Category/Class
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cephalosporins
Antibacterials for Systemic Use
Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
First-Generation Cephalosporins
First-generation cephalosporins
Prescribed
For the treatment of the following infections (skin, UTI, ENT) caused by; S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, staphylococci, S. pyogenes (group A ...