$Unique_ID{BRK01869}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CEFADROXIL}
$Subject{Duricef (Mead Johnson)
Ultracef (Bristol)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Duricef 500*0186902.scf
Duricef 1*0186901.scf
Ultracef*0186903.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CEFADROXIL
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BRAND NAMES (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 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, 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 are given a chance to 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.

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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.
