Cefadroxil Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

2 g orally as a single dose one hour prior to the procedure

Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis

Uncomplicated: 1 g orally every 12 hours for 14 days

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

1 g/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses

Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

1 g/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses for 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

500 mg orally every 12 hours or 1 g orally every 24 hours for 7 to 10 days

Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

Uncomplicated: 1 to 2 g/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses
Complicated: 1 g orally twice a day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis

1 to 18 years and 39 kg or less: 50 mg/kg orally, not to exceed 2 g, administered once 1 hour prior to the procedure
1 to 18 years and 40 kg or more: 2 g orally, administered once 1 hour prior to the procedure

Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection

1 month or older: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours, not to exceed 2 g per 24 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

1 month or older: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours, not to exceed 2 g per 24 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis

1 month or older: 30 mg/kg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses, not to exceed 2 g per 24 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Impetigo

1 month or older: 30 mg/kg/day orally in 1 to 2 divided doses, not to exceed 2 g per 24 hours

Renal Dose Adjustments

CrCl 25 to 50 mL/min: 1 g orally followed by 500 mg orally every 12 hours
CrCl 10 to 25 mL/min: 1 g orally followed by 500 mg orally every 24 hours
CrCl 0 to 10 mL/min: 1 g orally followed by 500 mg orally every 36 hours

Liver Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended

Precautions

Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with almost all antibiotics and may potentially be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea following cephalosporin therapy. Mild cases generally improve with discontinuation of the drug, while severe cases may require supportive therapy and treatment with an antimicrobial agent effective against C difficile. Hypertoxin producing strains of C difficile cause increased morbidity and mortality; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial treatment and may necessitate colectomy.

Cephalosporins may be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity. Risk factors include renal or hepatic impairment, poor nutritional state, a protracted course of antimicrobial therapy, and chronic anticoagulation therapy. Prothrombin times should be monitored and vitamin K therapy initiated if indicated.

Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with antibiotics. The drug should be discontinued immediately at the first appearance of a skin rash or other signs of hypersensitivity. Severe, acute hypersensitivity reactions may require treatment with epinephrine and other resuscitative measures including oxygen, intravenous fluids, antihistamines, corticosteroids, cardiovascular support and airway management as clinically indicated.

Some cephalosporins have been associated with seizures in renally impaired patients with elevated serum concentrations. The drug should be discontinued if seizures occur. Renal function should be monitored.

Dialysis

Cefadroxil is moderately dialyzable.

Other Comments

Cefadroxil may be taken without regard to meals; however, administration with food may decrease gastrointestinal side effects.

Reconstituted cefadroxil suspension should be stored in a refrigerator and discarded after 14 days.

Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections should be treated with cefadroxil for at least 10 days.

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