Cefadroxil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Cefadroxil?

Benefits and uses of the drug cefadroxil

Cefadroxil is an antibiotic drug used to treat various bacterial infections, such as:

• Bacterial infections of the lungs and airways (including the nasal passages, sinuses, and throat) such as sinusitis, brochitis, and pneumonia.
• Bacterial infections of the ear, nose or throat, such as otitis media, pharyngitis and tongsillitis.
• Infections of the skin or soft tissue, eg abscess, cellulitis, mastitis, erysipelas.
• Bacterial infection of the kidneys, eg pyelonephritis.
• Bacterial infection of the urinary tract.
• Uterine infection.
• Bacterial infection of the bone, such as osteomyelitis.
• Bacterial joint infections such as septic arthritis.

Not only this, the drug cefadroxil is usually used before dental procedures in patients with artificial heart valves to prevent serious infection of the lining of the heart (bacterial endocarditis).

Cefadroxil, a cephalosporin antibiotic class drug. The drug Cefadroxil works by stopping bacterial growth. Like other antibiotics, cefadroxil can only be used to treat bacterial infections, not viruses.

This medicine will be useless if used for diseases such as influenza even though the symptoms that appear may be the same. Excessive or unnecessary use of the cefadroxil antibiotic will reduce the potency of the drug and cause your body to create resistance to the antibiotic. So, use the antibiotic cefdroxil only as directed by your doctor.

How does this drug work?

Cefadroxil is a drug that works by inhibiting the formation of proteins that make up the bacterial cell walls. This drug will break the bonds that hold the cell walls to kill bacteria that cause disease.

This mechanism of action makes cefadroxil a broad-spectrum drug to kill various kinds of bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

To make sure infection-causing bacteria are susceptible to this drug, your doctor may take a blood, urine, or tissue sample from your throat or skin.

What are the rules for using cefadroxil?

Cefadroxil must be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, always follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting cefadroxil antibiotics.

Always read the medicine manual listed on the packaging label, even if you have taken this medicine before and bought again. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for a more definite explanation.

In general, some rules that you should know before taking cefadroxil antibiotics are:

• Cefadroxil is an oral drug (taken by mouth), usually once or twice a day, or as directed by your doctor.
• You can take cefadroxil before or after meals. You should drink plenty of water, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
• Take cefadroxil at the same time each time. This makes the drug work more effective, because the amount / level of the drug in the body remains in a stable amount. Try to set reminders so you don't miss your scheduled medication.
• Do not crush, chew, or cut the medicine into pieces unless your doctor recommends it.
• The dosage and length of treatment will depend on the medical condition and response to treatment.

Take this medicine until it runs out even though the symptoms have disappeared. Stopping taking the medication too quickly allows the bacteria to come back so that the infection returns.

Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't change, gets worse, or if new symptoms develop. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

How to store this drug?

In order for the drug to work optimally, you must first understand the storage rules. Here are some guidelines for storing the cefadroxil antibiotic that you should know:

• This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places.
• Do not store this medication in the bathroom.
• Do not store this drug inside freezer or frozen.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
• Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so.
• Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

If necessary, consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Not all drugs have the same storage method as this drug. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Cefadroxil dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for cefadroxil for adults?

For skin infections, pharyngitis due to streptococci, tonsillitis, and urinary tract infections

• 1-2 grams per day in one dose or divided into two doses

What is the dose of cefadroxil for children?

For skin infections, pharyngitis due to streptococci, tonsillitis, and urinary tract infections in children aged 6 years or over weighing <40 kg

• 30-50 mg / kg per day in one dose or divided into two doses, can be given up to a maximum of 100 mg / kg per day

In what dosage is cefadroxil available?

In pharmacies, the drug cefadroxil is available in tablet form for adults and syrup for children. Each tablet has a composition of cefadroxil 500 mg and cefadroxil 1000 mg.

While there is also cefadroxil syrup available in doses of 125 mg for every 5 ml.

Cefadroxil side effects

What side effects might occur with cefadroxil?

Like other drugs, cefadroxil can also cause side effects. Even so, these side effects are generally mild, such as:

• Allergic reactions
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, mild diarrhea
• Stiff muscles
• Joint pain
• Feelings of restlessness or hyperactivity
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Mild itching or skin rash
• Vaginal itching or vaginal discharge

Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects of the cefadroxil antibiotic, such as:

• Diarrhea in the form of fluid or blood
• Fever, chills, pain, flu symptoms
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Seizures
• Pale or yellowing skin, dark urine, fever, confusion or fatigue
• Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
• Fever, swollen glands, rash and itching, joint pain, or a general feeling of pain
• Fever, sore throat, and headache with blisters on the skin, peeling, red rash
• Feelings of increased thirst, loss of appetite, swelling, weight gain, difficulty breathing, or not passing urine less than usual

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings & Cautions

What should be known before using this drug?

Do not use cefadroxil if you are allergic to cefadroxil or other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

• Cefaclor (Raniclor)
• Cefazolin (Ancef)
• Cefdinir (Omnicef)
• Cefditoren (Spectracef)
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin)
• Cefprozil (Cefzil)
• Ceftibuten (Cedax)
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
• Cephradine (Velosef)

Before taking cefadroxil, tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any drugs (especially penicillin), or if you have:

• Kidney illness
• History of intestinal problems, such as colitis

If you have the conditions above, you must adjust the dose or do special tests to take the drug cefadroxil safely.

The drug cefadroxil in suspension contains sucrose. Talk to your doctor before using this medication in suspension if you have diabetes.

Is cefadroxil safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Certain drugs should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safe to use in pregnancy or breastfeeding because the benefits to both mother and baby outweigh the risks.

There is no adequate research whether cefadroxil is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using cefadroxil medication.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies these drugs into pregnancy risk category B (no risk in some studies).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

However, based on existing studies, the use of the antibiotic cefadroxil in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy does not cause adverse effects on pregnancy.

Even so, experts agree to avoid using the drug cefadroxil during the first trimester of pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant.

Meanwhile, in breastfeeding mothers, the drug cefadroxil can be absorbed into breast milk. However, these effects have no effect on the baby if you take this medicine according to the dosage and the rules recommended by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor before taking cefadroxil if you are breastfeeding.

In essence, don't forget to always consult a doctor first before taking the antibiotic cefadroxil if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with this drug cefadroxil?

Certain drugs are not recommended to be taken at the same time because drug interactions can occur. Drug interactions can change the performance of the drug or increase the risk of side effects.

However, it is possible that you were prescribed both drugs that might interact if the benefits were judged to be greater. In cases like this, the doctor may change the dose, or other precautions need to be taken.

Inform each drug that you are taking, both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as herbal medicines.

It should be understood that several types of drugs can interact with this antibiotic in two ways, namely:

• The drug cefadroxil blocks the action of other drugs
• Another drug that actually blocks the action of the cefadroxil drug

Use of this drug with the drugs listed below is generally not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often one or the other drug is used.

• warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with this drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with cefadroxil?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• History of colitis (inflammation of the intestines)
• History of severe diarrhea
• Kidney illness
• Hypersensitivity

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

If you develop symptoms of an overdose like the symptoms of excessive side effects, seek medical attention immediately. In case of an emergency or overdose, call 119 or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. In essence, you are not recommended to double your dose if you forget to take this medicine.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.