(cefadroxil)
Brands
Veterinary: Cefa Tabs, Cefa-Drops
Veterinary Availability:
- Cefa-Drops: 50 mg/mL
Comes in powder form 50 mL bottle. When mixed with water has an orange flavor taste.
Brands
Human: Duricef
Human Availability:
- Tablets: 1 gm
- Capsules: 500 mg
- Powder for suspension: 125 mg/mL, 250 mg/mL, 500 mg/5mL
Pharmacology
Cefadroxil is a first generation cephalosporin. It is a broad-spectrum, bactericidal, antibiotic that inhibits cell wall synthesis. It is effective against most Gram-positive organisms. It, however, does not directly attack mycoplasma but is useful in secondary infections.
The drug is well absorbed orally. While cefadroxil is widely distributed throughout the body crossing both placental and fetal serum and distributed into breast milk, animal studies have shown it not to be harmful during pregnancy or lactation. Cefadroxil does not enter cerebral spinal fluid.
The drug is excreted in the urine with greater than 50% unchanged.
Indications
Used for treating skin, soft tissue and urinary tract infections. May be used in combination with gentamicin for respiratory illness where secondary infections are involved. Also good for use prophylactically following surgery to prevent infection.
Drug Interactions or Contraindications
- Should not be used orally in cases of septicemia or shock as absorption may be delayed significantly in grave illness.
- May have synergistic effect against certain bacteria, when used with the aminoglycosides, penicillins, and chloramphenicol. Use in combination cautiously.
- Concomitant use of Probenecid may decrease the ability of the kidneys to remove some antibiotics (e.g., cefadroxil) thereby increasing their plasma level.
Adverse Reactions
Blood: neutopenia, hemolytic anemia
GI: anorexia (poor or no appetite), diarrhea, anal pruritus (itching)
Other: potential for nephrotoxicity minimal in animals.
Dosage Recommendations
10 mg/lb, PO, BID (Can be given 10 to 30 days) 4, 12
Considerations
- Give yogurt, Lactobacillus capsules/granules, or Bene-Bac to help maintain normal gut flora.
- In treating suspected polymicrobial infections, where a broader coverage may be needed, synergistic or combination drugs may be used. The following drugs may be seen used simultaneously with cefadroxil: aminoglycosides (e.g., amikacin or gentamicin), or clindamycin, or fluoroquinolones (e.g., enrofloxacin or orbifloxicin), or metronidazole, or ampicillin . 1
- Please note that it is imperative to discuss the changing or adding of any medications during your rat’s treatment with your veterinarian to prevent future resistance of microbes to the drugs prescribed.
- May store tablets and capsules at room temperature.
- Reconstituted suspensions kept refrigerated are good for 14 days.
