Cefadroxil
About
Cefadroxil belongs to the class of cephalosporin antibiotics. It is used to treat upper respiratory tract bacterial infections, the skin and soft tissue, and the urinary system. Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your body. These harmful bacteria produce chemicals known as toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick.
Cefadroxil contains cefadroxil, which is a new semisynthetic cephalosporin with a broad antibacterial spectrum and a high chemotherapeutic potential when administered orally. It kills the bacteria by inhibiting cell wall synthesis, leading to cell death. Thereby it treats bacterial infections.
Use Cefadroxil as suggested by the doctor. Your doctor will advise the dose and duration based on the severity of your infection. Like all medicines, Cefadroxil also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. 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.
Before starting Cefadroxil, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy to any antibiotic or kidney or liver problems. Do not take the Cefadroxil on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. Consult your doctor before taking the Cefadroxil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Cefadroxil as it may cause increased dizziness.
Uses of Cefadroxil
Medicinal Benefits
Cefadroxil belongs to the class of cephalosporin antibiotics. It reduces the infection by inhibiting bacterial growth. It kills the bacteria by disrupting the formation of the cell wall. It irreversibly binds to the proteins in the bacteria that are essential for the formation of the cell membrane. Thereby it treats bacterial infections. Cefadroxil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cefadroxil
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Severe itching
- Rash
- Allergic skin eruptions
- Hives
- A swollen, sore tongue
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Cefadroxil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to cefadroxil, cephalosporin antibiotics, or penicillin. People allergic to penicillin may also experience an allergy to cefadroxil due to cross-sensitivity (sensitivity to one drug may cause sensitivity to another drug if they have a similar chemical structure). You may experience ‘Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD)’ after using Cefadroxil. So, tell your doctor if you are previously diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease (affecting the stomach or intestine), especially colitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the colon (large intestine)). In addition, tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, as dosage adjustments are necessary.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Cefadroxil may interact with vaccinations (e.g. typhoid vaccine live, cholera vaccine live, BCG)
Drug-Food interactions: Alcohol may alter the efficacy of Cefadroxil.
Drug-Disease interactions: Cefadroxil interacted with disease conditions, including colitis (inflammation of the inner wall of the intestine), seizures (sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain) and renal impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIntake of alcohol while taking Cefadroxil may increase the risk of side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionCefadroxil is a category B medicine. It should be used in pregnant women only when required and prescribed by your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionCefadroxil may be excreted in breast milk in low amounts. So, it should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
safe if prescribedCefadroxil should not affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Liver
cautionCefadroxil to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Cefadroxil dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCefadroxil should be used in patients with kidney diseases with extreme caution as Cefadroxil may cause renal toxicity. Dose adjustments are necessary.
Children
cautionCefadroxil should be given to children only if prescribed by a doctor. The dose and duration may vary depending upon the age and severity of the infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- It would be best to take probiotics after taking the full course of Cefadroxil to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestine that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Certain fermented foods like yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the intestine's good bacteria.
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by gut bacteria which helps stimulate their growth. Thus fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after taking a course of antibiotics. Whole grains, like whole-grain bread, and brown rice, should be included in your diet.
- Avoid taking too much calcium-enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Cefadroxil.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Cefadroxil as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Cefadroxil in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may take blood samples to monitor electrolyte levels in the body. This helps determine the renal (kidney) function as Cefadroxil may cause renal toxicity.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infections: A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our body. Infectious or harmful bacteria can make you sick and reproduce quickly in your 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 comprising commonly spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. But, people with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine are more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Cefadroxil is used to treat bacterial infections. It reduces the infection by inhibiting bacterial growth. It disrupts the formation of the cell membrane by interfering with protein synthesis, leading to cell death.
Cefadroxil may disrupt the natural flora present in the intestine leading to ‘Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea'. 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 has 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 it may lead to antibiotic resistance, a condition in which bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.
Overdose of Cefadroxil may lead to nausea, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are unreal), 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 the doctor to know if you need Cefadroxil for your condition.
