Dosing and uses of Duricef, Ultracef (cefadroxil)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 500mg
oral suspension
- 250mg/5mL
- 500mg/5mL
tablet
- 1g
Pharyngitis
1 g PO qDay or divided q12hr for 10 days
Skin & Skin Structure Infections
1 g PO qDay or divided q12hr
Tonsillitis
1 g PO qDay or divided q12hr for 10 days
Urinary Tract Infections
2 g PO qDay or divided q12hr
Endocarditis
Prophylaxis (dental, upper respiratory procedure): 2 g PO 1 hour before procedure
Renal Impairment
1 g initially THEN 500 mg maintenance dose at intervals
CrCl 25-50 mL/min: q12hr
CrCl 10-25 mL/min: qDay
CrCl <10 mL/min: q36hr
Other Indications & Uses
E. coli, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella spp, staph, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule
- 500mg
oral suspension
- 250mg/5mL
- 500mg/5mL
tablet
- 1g
Endocarditis
Prophylaxis (dental, upper resp procedure): 50 mg/kg PO 1 hour before procedure, no more than 2 g
Susceptible Infections
30 mg/kg/day PO divided q12hr
Streptococcal Pharyngitis
30 mg/kg PO qDay for 10 days; not to exceed 1 g/dose
Duricef, Ultracef (cefadroxil) adverse (side) effects
1-10%
Diarrhea
<1%
Abdominal pain
Dyspepsia
Nausea
Vomiting
Rash
Urticaria
Pseudomembranous colitis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Anaphylaxis
Transaminases increased
Neutropenia
Warnings
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity
Cautions
Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity); prolonged use may result in superinfection
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: B
Lactation: enters breast milk; use with caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Duricef, Ultracef (cefadroxil)
Half-Life: 1-2 hr; 20-24 hr in renal failure
Peak Plasma Time: 70-90 min
Protein Bound: 20%
Absorption: rapid & well absorbed orally
Distribution: crosses placenta
Vd: 0.31 L/kg
Metabolism: hepatic minimaL
Elimination: urine 90% unchanged
Mechanism of action
First generation semi-synthetic cephalosporin, that arrests bacterial growth by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Bactericidal activity against rapidly growing organisms.
