Cefadroxil
About Cefadroxil
Cefadroxil belongs to the class of cephalosporin antibiotics. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, urinary system, and skin and soft tissues. Bacterial infections are caused by the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick.
Cefadroxil contains cefadroxil, a new semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by preventing bacteria from forming their protective outer wall, leading to cell death. Thereby, it helps treat bacterial infections.
Take Cefadroxil exactly as prescribed. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on the severity of your infection. You may experience common side effects of Cefadroxil, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, a sore tongue, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), a skin rash, and itching. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to consult your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Before taking Cefadroxil, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, penicillin, cephalosporin, or other antibiotics. Also, let your doctor know if you have a history of kidney disease, asthma, or colitis (inflammation of the colon). Consult your doctor before using Cefadroxil if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Cefadroxil may cause dizziness or sleeplessness, so avoid driving or operating machinery unless you are fully alert. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Cefadroxil as it may cause increased dizziness.
Uses of Cefadroxil
• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Cefadroxil treats pharyngitis (sore throat) and tonsillitis (tonsil inflammation) caused by bacteria.
• Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Cefadroxil is also used for bronchitis (airway inflammation) and certain types of pneumonia (lung infection).
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI): Cefadroxil is effective for treating uncomplicated UTIs, such as cystitis (bladder infection) and pyelonephritis (kidney infection).
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs): Cefadroxil helps treat bacterial SSTIs like cellulitis (infection of the deeper skin layers), impetigo (outer skin infection), furunculosis (boils), and lymphadenitis (infection of lymph nodes).
Medicinal Benefits
Cefadroxil belongs to the class of cephalosporin antibiotics. It is used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract (such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and pneumonia), urinary tract (such as cystitis and pyelonephritis), and the skin and soft tissues (such as impetigo and cellulitis). It contains cefadroxil, a cephalosporin antibiotic that works by preventing bacteria from forming their protective outer wall, leading to cell death. Thereby, it helps treat bacterial infections. Cefadroxil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Directions for Use
- Cefadroxil can be taken with or without food. However, if it causes stomach upset, take it with food.
- It is usually taken every 12 to 24 hours or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Storage
Side Effects of Cefadroxil
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Severe itching
- Rash
- Hives
- A swollen, sore tongue
Drug Warnings
Do not take Cefadroxil if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, penicillin, cephalosporin, or other antibiotics. Avoid taking Cefadroxil on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. You may experience ‘Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD)’ after using Cefadroxil, so inform your doctor if you have previously been diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases (affecting the stomach or intestine), especially colitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the colon). Also, tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, as dosage adjustments may be necessary. Consult your doctor before taking Cefadroxil if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Cefadroxil should be given to children only if prescribed by a doctor. Cefadroxil may cause dizziness, fatigue, or insomnia (sleeplessness), so avoid driving or operating machinery unless you are fully alert. Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cefadroxil, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cefadroxil may interact with antibiotics (tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, colistin, polymyxin B), anti-gout medications (probenecid), diuretics (furosemide), blood thinners (warfarin), cholesterol-lowering medications (cholestyramine), and oral contraceptives.
Drug-Food interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease interactions: Inform your doctor before taking Cefadroxil if you have certain medical conditions, such as colitis (inflammation of the colon), seizures (fits), asthma, and kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while taking Cefadroxil, as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionCefadroxil is a category B medicine. Consult your doctor before taking Cefadroxil if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe Cefadroxil only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Cefadroxil if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will prescribe Cefadroxil only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionCefadroxil may cause dizziness, fatigue, or insomnia (sleeplessness), so avoid driving or operating machinery unless you are fully alert.
Liver
consult your doctorCefadroxil should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose of Cefadroxil may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
consult your doctorCefadroxil should be used in patients with kidney diseases with extreme caution, as it may cause renal toxicity. The dose of Cefadroxil may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionCefadroxil should be given to children only if prescribed by a doctor. The dose and duration may vary depending on the age and severity of the infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which help with indigestion. Therefore, you are advised to consume foods rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt, curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto, and cheese.
- Eat fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas.
- Avoid consuming excessive amounts of calcium-enriched foods and drinks, as it may affect the functioning of Cefadroxil.
- Avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages, as they can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to help Cefadroxil fight off infections.
Special Advise
- Cefadroxil may affect certain laboratory test results, such as blood tests for liver function, urine, and the Coombs test. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Cefadroxil.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect the body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. It can target any body part and multiply very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms, like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms, commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses, such as sore throat and ear infections, to severe brain infections, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But people with weakened immune systems or those taking immunosuppressive medications are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Cefadroxil is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, urinary system, and skin and soft tissues.
Cefadroxil contains cefadroxil, a cephalosporin antibiotic that works by preventing bacteria from forming their protective outer wall, leading to cell death. Thereby, it helps treat bacterial infections.
Cefadroxil may disrupt the natural flora present in the intestine, leading to Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Take probiotics to restore the gut bacteria after completing the course of antibiotics. Consult a doctor if you have watery or bloody stools.
People allergic to penicillin should not take Cefadroxil as they may develop cross-sensitivity (sensitivity to drugs that have similar structures). Cefadroxil contains cefadroxil, which has a similar structure to that of penicillin.
Complete the course of therapy as prescribed by your doctor. Do not discontinue or abruptly stop the medication, as this can lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
An overdose of Cefadroxil may lead to nausea, hallucinations (seeing or hearing unreal things), hyperreflexia (overactive reflexes), extrapyramidal symptoms (involuntary muscle movements), confusion, and a decrease in renal function. Consult a doctor immediately if you accidentally overdose on medicine.
Cefadroxil does not treat a viral infection like the flu or a common cold. So, if you are feeling under the weather, it is best to consult a doctor to determine if you need medication for your condition.
Common side effects of Cefadroxil include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, sore tongue, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (indigestion), skin rash, and itching. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Yes, Cefadroxil is an antibiotic. It contains cefadroxil, which is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad antibacterial spectrum.
In some cases, Cefadroxil may cause serious side effects like severe stomach pain, watery/bloody diarrhoea, flu symptoms, seizures, confusion, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark colour urine, and kidney problems. Consult a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
To prevent any unpleasant side effects/interactions, it is advised to consult a doctor before taking other medications with Cefadroxil.
