Cefadroxil is an acid-stable and semi-synthetic oral cephalosporin. It is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Urine concentration of this antibiotic, following a 1 gm dose, is maintained well above the MIC of susceptible urinary pathogens for 20 to 22 hours.

Cefadroxil inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to 1 or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which in turn inhibit the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell walls, thus inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis and arresting cell wall assembly resulting in bacterial cell death.

It is indicated for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (pharyngitis and tonsillitis) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group-A beta-hemolytic Streptococci) and Streptococcus pneumoniae; urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella species and skin & soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococci (including penicillinase producing bacteria) and Streptococci.

Adult:

• Pharyngitis and Tonsillitis: 1 g per day in one or two divided doses.
• Urinary Tract Infections: 1 or 2 g per day in one or two divided doses.
• Skin and Skin Structure Infections: 1 g per day in one or two divided doses.

Children: 30 mg/kg daily in divided doses every 12 hours.

It may be taken with meals or on empty stomach. Administration with food may be helpful in diminishing potential gastrointestinal complaints.

Cefadroxil is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to Cefadroxil or any of the ingredients of it.

Generally Cefadroxil is well tolerated. However, the most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal disturbances and hypersensitivity phenomena.

Use of this antibiotic may cause pseudomembranous colitis; so caution should be taken during diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhea in association with Cefadroxil therapy.

Pregnancy & Lactation

US FDA pregnancy category of Cefadroxil is B. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Cefadroxil have been shown to be excreted in human milk. So, caution should be exercised when Cefadroxil is administered during lactation.