$Unique_ID{BRK03069} $Pretitle{} $Title{cefadroxil} $Subject{Duricef Mead Johnson Ultracef Bristol Cephalosporin antibiotic cefadroxil variety bacterial infections middle ear skin upper lower respiratory tract urinary injuring cell walls bacteria} $Volume{} $Log{ Duricef 500 mg*0306901.scf Duricef 1 g*0306902.scf Ultracef*0306903.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. cefadroxil ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) cefadroxil (various manufacturers) Duricef (Mead Johnson) Ultracef (Bristol) TYPE OF DRUG Cephalosporin antibiotic INGREDIENT cefadroxil DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (1 g) Capsules (500 mg) Oral suspension (125 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg per each 5-ml spoonful) STORAGE Cefadroxil tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. The oral suspension form of this drug should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container. Any unused portion of the oral suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its potency after that time. This medication should never be frozen. USES This medication is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including those of the middle ear, skin, upper and lower respiratory tract, and urinary tract. This drug acts by severely injuring the cell walls of the infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them from growing and multiplying. Cefadroxil kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi. TREATMENT You can take cefadroxil either on an empty stomach or, to avoid stomach upset, with food or milk. The contents of the suspension form of cefadroxil tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container well to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon or with the dropper provided. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. Cephalosporin antibiotics work best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take two doses a day, the doses should be spaced 12 hours apart. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately. However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose halfway through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular schedule. Try not to skip any doses. It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking this drug too soon, resistant bacteria could continue growing, and the infection could recur. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as you adjust to the drug. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever, itching, joint pain, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe diarrhea (which can be watery, or contain pus or blood), sore mouth, stomach cramps, tingling in the hands or feet, or unusual bleeding or bruising. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, contact your doctor. INTERACTIONS Cefadroxil interacts with several other types of medications: 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations and side effects of this medication. 2. The side effects, especially effects on the kidneys, of furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, colistin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, and aminoglycoside antibiotics can be increased by cefadroxil. Before you start to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medication, especially to cefadroxil or other cephalosporin antibiotics (such as cefamandole, cephalexin, cefaclor, cephradine, cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, cephalothin, cephapirin, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, and moxalactam) or to penicillin antibiotics. * Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medication to other people or use it for other infections, unless so directed by your doctor. * Diabetics taking cefadroxil should know that this drug can cause a false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid this problem, switch to Clinistix or Tes-Tape to test your urine for sugar. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although the cephalosporin antibiotics appear to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in diarrhea. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.