Cefadroxil

Cefadroxil is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. Cefadroxil 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.

Cefadroxil comes as a capsule, tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. Take with or without food every 12 or 24 hours. Take cefadroxil at around the same times every day.

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 so it mixes 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.

Cefadroxil is also sometimes used for patients who are allergic to penicillin and have a heart condition to help prevent a heart valve infection before a dental or upper respiratory tract (nose, mouth, throat, voice box) procedure.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking cefadroxil,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking cefadroxil. 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), 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.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

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

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

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. 

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to cefadroxil.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking cefadroxil.

If you are diabetic, and test your urine for sugar, use Clinistix^® or TesTape^® (not Clinitest^®) to test your urine while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the cefadroxil, call your doctor.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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