Side Effects of Cefadroxil

Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic to treat bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Moraxella catarrhalis, E. coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus mirabilis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), throat infections (sore throat), and tonsillitis. 

Cephalosporins stop bacteria from multiplying by preventing bacteria from forming the walls that surround them. The walls are necessary to protect bacteria from their environment and to keep the contents of the bacterial cell together. Bacteria cannot survive without a cell wall. 

Cephalosporins are most effective when bacteria are actively multiplying and forming cell walls. 

Common side effects of cefadroxil include

• diarrhea or loose stools,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain,
• vomiting, and
• rash.

Serious side effects of cefadroxil include

• seizures,
• severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis),
• reduced platelet or red blood cell counts, and
• overgrowth of C. difficile, bacteria responsible for pseudomembranous colitis (symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and sometimes even shock).

Drug interactions of cefadroxil include BCG (tuberculosis vaccine) and typhoid live vaccines, because cefadroxil may reduce the immune response to these vaccines and result in less effective vaccination. 

There are no adequate studies of cefadroxil in pregnant women. Cefadroxil is secreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. 

Cefadroxil generally is well-tolerated. The most common side effects are:

• diarrhea or loose stools,
• nausea,
• abdominal pain,
• vomiting, and
• rash.

Patients who have had allergic reactions to other cephalosporins should not take cefadroxil. Additionally, persons allergic to penicillin or one of its derivatives (for example, amoxicillin [Amoxil, Dispermox, Trimox] or ampicillin [Omnipen, Plycillin, Principen]) may also be allergic to cefadroxil, although cefadroxil has been used safely in such patients.

Other important side effects which are serious, but rare include:

• seizures,
• severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis),
• and reduced platelet or red blood cell counts.

Cefadroxil can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and encourage overgrowth of some bacteria, specifically, Clostridium difficile which causes inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous colitis). Patients who develop signs of pseudomembranous colitis after starting cefadroxil (diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and possibly shock) should contact their physician immediately.

Gastrointestinal

• Onset of pseudomembranous colitis symptoms may occur during or after antibiotic treatment.
• Dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting have been reported rarely. Diarrhea has also occurred.

Hypersensitivity

• Allergies (in the form of rash, urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus) have been observed. These reactions usually subsided upon discontinuation of the drug. Anaphylaxis has also been reported.

Other

• Other reactions have included hepatic dysfunction including
  • cholestasis and elevations in serum transaminase,
  • genital pruritus,
  • genital moniliasis,
  • vaginitis,
  • moderate transient neutropenia,
  • fever.
• Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia,idiosyncratic hepatic failure, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, serum sickness, and arthralgia have been rarely reported.
• In addition to the adverse reactions listed above which have been observed in patients treated with cefadroxil (cefadroxil (cefadroxil hemihydrate) hemihydrate) , the following adverse reactions and altered laboratory tests have been reported for cephalosporin-class antibiotics:
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis,
  • abdominal pain,
  • superinfection,
  • renal dysfunction,
  • toxic nephropathy,
  • hepatic dysfunction including
    • cholestasis,
    • aplastic anemia,
    • hemolytic anemia,
    • hemorrhage,
    • prolonged prothrombin time,
    • positive Coombs’ test,
    • increased BUN,
    • increased creatinine,
    • elevated alkaline phosphatase,
    • elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
    • elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT),
    • elevated bilirubin,
    • elevated LDH,
    • eosinophilia,
    • pancytopenia,
    • neutropenia.
• Several cephalosporins have been implicated in triggering seizures, particularly in patients with renal impairment, when the dosage was not reduced. If seizures associated with drug therapy occur, the drug should be discontinued. Anticonvulsant therapy can be given if clinically indicated.

Drug /Laboratory Test Interactions

Positive direct Coombs’ tests have been reported during treatment with the cephalosporin antibiotics. In hematologic studies or in transfusion cross-matching procedures when antiglobulin tests are performed on the minor side or in Coombs’ testing of newborns whose mothers have received cephalosporin antibiotics before parturition, it should be recognized that a positive Coombs’ test may be due to the drug.