Cefadroxil
DURICEF
Pronunciation: sef-a-DROX-il
What it isPBP-inhibiting first-generation cephalosporin; skin, urinary, and pharyngeal infections.
Why this oneIts longer action permits once-daily treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis, reducing dosing burden versus cephalexin.
What limits itNo MRSA cover. Hypersensitivity; renally adjusted.
FDA-approved for
- skin, urinary and pharyngeal bacterial infections
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncomplicated lower UTI (cystitis) | Adults | 1–2 g/day QD or BID | 1–2 g/day QD or BID | 2 g/day |
| Other UTI | Adults | 2 g/day BID | 2 g/day BID | 2 g/day |
| Skin/skin-structure infection | Adults | 1 g/day QD or BID | 1 g/day QD or BID | 1 g/day |
| GABHS pharyngitis/tonsillitis | Adults | 1 g/day QD or BID ×10 days | 1 g/day QD or BID | 1 g/day |
| UTI | Children | 30 mg/kg/day divided q12h | 30 mg/kg/day divided q12h | |
| Pharyngitis/tonsillitis/impetigo | Children | 30 mg/kg/day QD or divided q12h | 30 mg/kg/day QD or q12h | |
| Other skin/skin-structure infection | Children | 30 mg/kg/day divided q12h | 30 mg/kg/day divided q12h |
Renal Adjust per CrCl: initial 1 g, then 500 mg maintenance — q12h (CrCl 25–50), q24h (10–25), q36h (0–10 mL/min); CrCl >50 treat as normal
Hepatic Undefined
Instructions
- May give without regard to meals; food may reduce GI upset
- Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections: treat ≥10 days
Available strengths
- cap 500 mg
- tab 1000 mg
- susp 250, 500 mg/5 mL
Cautions
- Pseudomembranous colitis/CDAD may occur during or after therapy
- Hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis; cross-reactivity in penicillin-allergic patients
- Seizures reported with cephalosporins, especially in renal impairment when dose not reduced
Adverse reactions
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia
- Rash, urticaria, angioedema, pruritus
- Hepatic dysfunction (cholestasis, transaminase elevation)
- Transient neutropenia, fever, genital pruritus/moniliasis, vaginitis
Pregnancy Undefined
Lactation Undefined
Cost
Generic entry1982
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskHypersensitivity
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryB
Defining liabilityAllergy, gastrointestinal effects and agent-specific renal, hepatic, hematologic or interaction risks.