Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cefadroxil
What is CEFADROXIL used for?
CEFADROXIL is used to treat infections caused certain bacteria in the:
- Urinary tract.
- Skin.
- Throat (including Pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis).
- Lungs (including pneumonia).
Antibacterial drugs like CEFADROXIL treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.
How does CEFADROXIL work?
CEFADROXIL is an antibiotic, which belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins. CEFADROXIL works by killing bacteria which cause infections in the body.
What are the ingredients in CEFADROXIL?
Medicinal ingredients: Cefadroxil
Non-medicinal ingredients: Colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, talc.
The capsule shell contains the following non-medicinal ingredients: FD&C blue #1, FD&C red #40, gelatin, grey ink and titanium dioxide.
The edible grey ink on the capsule shells contains the non–medicinal ingredients: ammonium hydroxide, black iron oxide, shellac, propylene glycol, potassium hydroxide, and titanium dioxide.
CEFADROXIL comes in the following dosage forms:
CEFADROXIL (cefadroxil) is available as a white opaque body, maroon opaque cap, hard gelatin capsule, imprinted 'APO 500' with off-white powder fill, containing 500 mg of cefadroxil (as monohydrate). Available in bottles of 100 capsules.
Do not use CEFADROXIL if:
Do not take CEFADROXIL if you have had an allergic reaction to CEFADROXIL or other medicines such as cephalosporins.
Before starting CEFADROXIL and to get the best possible treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you:
Have had an allergic reaction to CEFADROXIL or other medicines such as
penicillins;
- Have severe kidney disease with or without significant liver disease;
Are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment;
- Are breast feeding or planning to breast feed. Other warnings that you should know about:
CEFADROXIL may cause inflammation of the colon (colitis), with symptoms such as diarrhea. Talk to your doctor if you experience any intestinal side effects.
CEFADROXIL may affect the results of urine tests. Talk to your healthcare professional if you take any urine tests while taking CEFADROXIL.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take CEFADROXIL:
CEFADROXIL may be taken with or without food. Taking CEFADROXIL may help reduce intestinal issues.
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, CEFADROXIL should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of CEFADROXIL could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by CEFADROXIL (resistance). This means that CEFADROXIL may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual Adult Dose:
Your doctor will tell you how much CEFADROXIL to take. Your dose may be 2 to 4 capsules per day, depending on your condition.
Overdose:
| If you think you have taken too much CEFADROXIL, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
What are possible side effects from using CEFADROXIL?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking CEFADROXIL. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
- rash
- abdominal cramps
- upset stomach
- heartburn
- flatulence (gas)
- dizziness
- weakness
- drowsiness
- nervousness
- headache
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||
| Uncommon | An allergic reaction (difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, face or tongue; hives or a rash | √ | ||
| Redness, or itching | √ | |||
| Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea | √ | |||
| Unknown | Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCAR) (severe skin reactions that may also affect other organs):
eyes, mouth, nose or genitals, itching, severe rash, bumps under the skin, skin pain, skin color changes (redness, yellowing, purplish)
| √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
How to store CEFADROXIL:
Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C), in tightly-closed containers. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CEFADROXIL:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp). Find the Patient Medication Information on the manufacturer’s website http://www.apotex.ca/products, or by calling 1-800-667-4708.