Duricef (Oral)

Cefadroxil is used to treat bacterial infections in various parts of the body. It is part of a group of medicines called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or stopping them from growing. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, talk to your doctor.

Cefadroxil may cause diarrhea, which can sometimes be severe. Do not take any medicine or give medicine to your child for diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this, or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.

Before you or your child have any medical tests, inform the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks of taking the medicine compared to the benefits it will provide. Here are some important points to consider for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies so far have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the use of cefadroxil.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems in the elderly that would limit the usefulness of cefadroxil. However, older patients are more likely to have kidney issues related to age, which may need caution and a dose adjustment for those taking cefadroxil.

Breast Feeding

Research suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to infants when used by breastfeeding mothers.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there is a chance of an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is particularly important that your healthcare professional knows if you are using any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are significant but may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency for one or both of the medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Drospirenone
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Gestodene
• Levoketoconazole
• Levonorgestrel
• Mestranol
• Methotrexate
• Nomegestrol
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken with food or certain types of food, as interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines can also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how this medicine works for you. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Colitis (inflammation in the gut), history of—Use with caution. It may worsen these conditions.
• Diarrhea, severe, history of—Use with caution. It may worsen these conditions.
• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be stronger due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cough or hoarseness
• dark-colored urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty with moving
• feeling of discomfort
• fever
• fever with or without chills
• flushing or redness of the skin
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• inflammation of the joints
• itching
• joint or muscle pain
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches
• muscle pain or stiffness
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• rash
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain, continuing
• swollen lymph glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusually warm skin
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bloating
• chest pain
• coughing up blood
• diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• general body swelling
• high fever
• hives
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased thirst
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• pain
• pale skin
• paralysis
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• swollen or painful glands
• tightness in the chest
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Rare

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• heartburn
• indigestion
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Incidence not known

• Hives or welts
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• itching or pain of the genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• redness of the skin
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Duricef

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Suspension
• Capsule
• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Pharmacologic Class: 1st Generation Cephalosporin

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You or your child may take this medicine with or without food.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure the medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules or suspension):For infections: Adults and teenagers—1000 to 2000 milligrams (mg) per day, taken as a single dose or divided and taken twice a day. Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 30 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, taken as a single dose or divided and taken every 12 hours.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

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