Pregnancy Risk Category B
How supplied
Tablets: 1 g
Capsules: 500 mg
Oral suspension: 125 mg/5 ml, 250 mg/5 ml, 500 mg/5 ml
Action
A first-generation cephalosporin that inhibits cell-wall synthesis, promoting osmotic instability; usually bactericidal.
Indications & dosage
Urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella species; skin and soft-tissue infections due to staphylococci and streptococci; pharyngitis or tonsillitis due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococci-
Adults: 1 to 2 g P.O. daily, depending on infection being treated. Usually given once daily or b.i.d.
Children: 30 mg/kg P.O. daily in two divided doses q 12 hours.
Adjust-a-dose: For renally impaired patients with creatinine clearance of 25 to 50 ml/minute, 1 g P.O. followed by 500 mg q 12 hours; if clearance is between 10 and 24 ml/minute, 500 mg q 24 hours; and if it is below 10 ml/minute, 500 mg q 36 hours.
Adverse reactions
CNS: seizures.
GI: pseudomembranous colitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, abdominal cramps, oral candidiasis.
GU: genital pruritus, candidiasis, vaginitis, renal dysfunction.
Hematologic: transient neutropenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia.
Hepatic: transient increases in liver enzymes.
Respiratory: dyspnea.
Skin: maculopapular and erythematous rashes, urticaria.
Other: hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, angioedema, fever.
Interactions
Drug-drug. Probenecid: may inhibit excretion and increase blood levels of cefadroxil. Use together cautiously.
Effects on diagnostic tests
Cefadroxil causes false-positive results in urine glucose tests using cupric sulfate (Benedict's reagent or Clinitest); use glucose oxidase test (Diastix or Chemstrip uG) instead. Drug causes false elevations in serum or urine creatinine levels in tests using Jaffé's reaction. Positive Coombs' test results occur in about 3% of patients taking cephalosporins.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug or other cephalosporins.
Nursing considerations
Patient teaching
*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine. †Canada ‡Australia §U.K. OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING