Cefadroxil is a first-generation bactericidal cephalosporin that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is used to treat the following infections:

• Treatment of Pharyngitis and tonsillitis caused by:

  • Group A beta-hemolytic streptococciStreptococcus pyogenes.

• Treatment of Skin and soft-tissue infections caused by:

  • staphylococci
  • streptococci.

• Treatment of Urinary tract infections caused by:

  • Escherichia coli
  • Proteus mirabilis
  • Klebsiella species.

• Off Label Use of Cefadroxil in Adults include:

  • Prosthetic joint infection caused by Oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococci.

Cefadroxil Dose in Adults

Off label use in the treatment of Prosthetic joint infection caused by Oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci for chronic oral antimicrobial suppression:

• 500 mg twice daily.

Cefadroxil in the treatment of Skin and soft-tissue infections:

• 1 gm orally once a day or in two divided doses.

Cefadroxil dose in the treatment of Group A Streptococcal pharyngitis as an alternative agent in penicillin-allergic patients:

• 1 gm orally once a day or 500 mg twice daily for 10 days.

As an alternative agent in the treatment of Urinary tract infection:

Note: Use only if none of the suggested agents can be utilised.

• Use in treatment of acute uncomplicated Cystitis:
  • 500 mg orally twice a day for 5 - 7 days.
• Use in the treatment of complicated Urinary Tract Infection including pyelonephritis:
  • 1 gm orally twice a day for 10 - 14 days.

Cefadroxil Dose in Childrens

General dosing for susceptible infection:

• Mild to moderate infections:
  • Infants, Children, and Adolescents:
    • 15 mg/kg/dose orally twice a day to a maximum daily dose of 2,000 mg/day.

Use in treatment of Impetigo:

• Children and Adolescents:
  • 30 mg/kg/day orally in one or two divided doses to a maximum daily dose of 1,000 mg/day.

Use in treatment of Pharyngitis and tonsillitis:

• Children and Adolescents:
  • 30 mg/kg/day orally in one or two divided doses to a maximum daily dose of 1,000 mg/day for 10 days.

Use in treatment of Skin and skin structure infections:

• Children and Adolescents:
  • 15 mg/kg/dose orally twice a day to a maximum daily dose of 1,000 mg/day.

Use in treatment of Urinary tract infections:

• Children and Adolescents:
  • 15 mg/kg/dose orally twice a day to a maximum daily dose of 2,000 mg/day.

Pregnancy Risk Factor B

• Cefadroxil crosses over the placental boundary, but no adverse fetal outcomes were observed. 
• Cefadroxil can therefore be used to treat pregnant women with susceptible infections.

Cefadroxil use duringBreastfeeding:

• Cefadroxil is small enough to be absorbed into breastmilk. 
• Cefadroxil is safe to use in breastfeeding women. 
• Infants should be closely watched because gastrointestinal issues are a possibility.

Cefadroxil Dose in Renal Disease:

• 1 gm orally as a single dose followed by a maintenance dose of:
  • CrCl of more than 50 mL/minute:
    • No dose adjustment is required
  • CrCl 25 to 50 mL/minute:
    • 500 mg every twice daily.
  • CrCl 10 to 25 mL/minute:
    • 500 mg once a day.
  • CrCl of less than 10 mL/minute:
    • 500 mg every 36 hours.

Cefadroxil Dose in Liver Disease:

• Dose adjustment in patients with liver disease is not recommended.disease. 

Common Side Effects Of Cefadroxil Include:

• Gastrointestinal:
  • Diarrhea

Contraindication to Cefadroxil include:

• Allergic reactions to cefadroxil, other cephalosporins, or any component of the formulation.

Warnings and Precautions

• Hypersensitivity reactions
  • Severe allergic reactions may occur with cefadroxil therapy, especially in penicillin and cephalosporin allergic patients. If allergic reactions are detected, therapy should be stopped immediately.
• Superinfection
  • Cefadroxil treatment for longer periods (over 2 months) can lead to superinfections, including fungal or bacterial superinfections. C. difficile-associated diarrhea, (CDAD), and pseudomembranous collitis can occur.
• Colitis
  • Patients suffering from colitis or gastrointestinal disease should be cautious about taking the drug.
• Renal impairment
  • Patients with impaired renal function should be cautious when taking the drug. Adjusting the dose may be necessary.
• Propylene glycol:
  • Some forms of propylene glycol can be toxic if taken in large quantities.
  • It can lead to hyperosmolality and lactic acidosis as well as seizures and respiratory depression.

Cefadroxil: Drug Interaction

Note: Drug Interaction Categories:

• Risk Factor C: Monitor When Using Combination
• Risk Factor D: Consider Treatment Modification
• Risk Factor X: Avoid Concomitant Use

Monitoring Parameters:

Monitor renal functions and observe for clinical features of anaphylaxis during administration of the first dose. 

How to take Cefadroxil?

• Administer the drug orally without regards to meals.
• It may be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Mechanism of action of Cefadroxil:

Cefadroxil

• This is a first-generation cephalosporin. It inhibits the formation proteins and peptidoglycans.
• It binds to penicillin-binding proteins, eventually leading to cell lysis through the use of autolytic enzymes.

It is rapidly and well absorbed after oral administration. 20% of the drug is Protein-bound. Half-life elimination of cefadroxil is 1 to 2 hours that is increased to 20 - 24 hours in patients with renal failure The Time to reach peak serum concentration is 70 to 90 minutes. It is primarily excreted via urine as unchanged drug.

International Brands of Cefadroxil:

• APO-Cefadroxil
• PRO-Cefadroxil-500
• TEVA-Cefadroxil
• Adroxef
• Alkil
• Ancefa
• Androxyl
• Arocef
• Baxan
• Bidicef
• Biodroxil
• Biodroxyl
• Bonacef
• Cedril
• Cedrox
• Cedroxil
• Cefacell
• Cefadril
• Cefadrol
• Cefadrox
• Cefadur
• Cefalom
• Cefamox
• Cefat
• Cefex
• Cefilco
• Ceforal
• Ceforan
• Cexyl
• Curisafe
• Dacef
• Drocef
• Drovax
• Droxicef
• Droxil
• Droxyl
• Drozid
• Duricef
• Ethicef
• Fadrox
• Gruncef
• Hanacef
• Ibidroxil
• Justum
• Lapicef
• Lapricef
• Lesporina
• Licef
• Likodin
• Longicef
• Lostacef
• Lydroxil
• Maxcef
• Medicefa
• Midroxil
• Moxacef
• Nefalox
• Nor-Dacef
• Odoxil
• Opicef
• Opicef Forte
• Oradroxil
• Ouyi
• Qualidrox
• Roxil
• Sofidrox
• Twicef
• Tytdroxil
• Ucefa
• Ultracef
• Valdocef
• Vepan
• Versatic
• Vocefa
• Vocefa Forte
• Widrox
• Wincef
• Wincocef
• Zolpra

Cefadroxil Brands in Pakistan: