Cefadroxil Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 28, 2023.
Applies to the following strengths: 500 mg; 125 mg/5 mL; 250 mg/5 mL; 500 mg/5 mL; 1000 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
- Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
- Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
- Cystitis
- Pyelonephritis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Osteomyelitis
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Skin and Structure Infection
- Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
- Impetigo
- Bacterial Infection
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection
1 gram orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
Comments:
- The duration of therapy in beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections is at least 10 days.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of skin and structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
Usual Adult Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
1 gram orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
- Duration of therapy: 10 days
Comments:
- This drug is generally effective in eradicating nasopharynx Streptococcus pyogenes infections; there are no data that establish efficacy in the prevention of rheumatic fever.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by S pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci)
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations:
30 mg/kg orally once a day
- Maximum dose: 1 gram/day
- Duration of therapy: 10 days
Comment: This drug should be avoided in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin.
Use: Treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in patients with penicillin allergies
Usual Adult Dose for Cystitis
Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis): 1 to 2 grams orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
Complicated urinary tract infections: 1 gram orally 2 times a day
Comment: Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Proteus mirabilis
Usual Adult Dose for Pyelonephritis
Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis): 1 to 2 grams orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
Complicated urinary tract infections: 1 gram orally 2 times a day
Comment: Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Proteus mirabilis
Usual Adult Dose for Urinary Tract Infection
Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis): 1 to 2 grams orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
Complicated urinary tract infections: 1 gram orally 2 times a day
Comment: Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Proteus mirabilis
Usual Adult Dose for Osteomyelitis
Uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections (e.g., cystitis): 1 to 2 grams orally once a day OR in divided doses given 2 times a day
Complicated urinary tract infections: 1 gram orally 2 times a day
Comment: Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Use: Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Proteus mirabilis
Usual Pediatric Dose for Urinary Tract Infection
Children: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
Comments:
- The duration of therapy in beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections is at least 10 days.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Uses:
- Treatment of skin and structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
- Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by E coli, Klebsiella species, and P mirabilis
Usual Pediatric Dose for Skin and Structure Infection
Children: 15 mg/kg orally every 12 hours
Comments:
- The duration of therapy in beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections is at least 10 days.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Uses:
- Treatment of skin and structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
- Treatment of urinary tract infections caused by E coli, Klebsiella species, and P mirabilis
Usual Pediatric Dose for Tonsillitis/Pharyngitis
Children: 30 mg/kg orally per day, given once a day OR in divided doses 2 times a day
Comments:
- The duration of therapy in beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections is at least 10 days.
- This drug is generally effective in eradicating nasopharynx S pyogenes infections; there are no data that establish efficacy in the prevention of rheumatic fever.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Uses:
- Treatment of impetigo caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
- Treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by S pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci)
IDSA Recommendations:
30 mg/kg orally once a day
- Maximum dose: 1 gram/day
- Duration of therapy: 10 days
Comment: This drug should be avoided in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin.
Use: Treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in patients with penicillin-allergies
Usual Pediatric Dose for Impetigo
Children: 30 mg/kg orally per day, given once a day OR in divided doses 2 times a day
Comments:
- The duration of therapy in beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections is at least 10 days.
- This drug is generally effective in eradicating nasopharynx S pyogenes infections; there are no data that establish efficacy in the prevention of rheumatic fever.
- Treatment may be started empirically but should be adjusted once the causative organism is identified and susceptibility results are available.
Uses:
- Treatment of impetigo caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
- Treatment of pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by S pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci)
IDSA Recommendations:
30 mg/kg orally once a day
- Maximum dose: 1 gram/day
- Duration of therapy: 10 days
Comment: This drug should be avoided in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin.
Use: Treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis in patients with penicillin-allergies
Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Infection
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations:
15 mg/kg orally 2 times a day
- Maximum dose: 2 grams/day
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
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Patients with a known allergy to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- This drug may be taken without regard to meals; however, food consumed concomitantly during administration may decrease gastrointestinal side effects.
Storage requirements:
- Capsules and tablets: Protect from moisture.
General:
- Local epidemiological and susceptibility patterns should be used to guide treatment selection in the absence of patient-specific culture and susceptibility information.
Monitoring:
- HEPATIC: Hepatic function tests when necessary
- IMMUNOLOGIC: Culture and susceptibility tests prior to and during treatment
- RENAL: Renal function tests when necessary
- Inform patients that this drug may cause dizziness, fatigue, headache, nervousness, and sleeplessness, and they should avoid driving or operating machinery if these side effects occur.
- Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Patients should be directed to take the full course of treatment, even if they feel better.
- Patients should be instructed to report signs/symptoms of Clostridium difficile (e.g., watery/bloody stools, stomach cramps, fever), for up to 2 months after stopping treatment.
Frequently asked questions
More about cefadroxil
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (3)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: first generation cephalosporins
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Cefadroxil drug information
- Cefadroxil (Advanced Reading)
- Cefadroxil Capsules and Tablets
- Cefadroxil Suspension
Other brands
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.