Cefadroxil
- Generic name
- cefadroxil
- Brand names
- Duricef (historical, discontinued brand)
- Drug class
- Antibiotic (first-generation cephalosporin)
- Form
- Capsule (500 mg), oral suspension
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription only. Confirmed Authorised (as a real, currently marketed generic) in the US, UK, and Canada. The original Duricef brand was discontinued in the US, though generic cefadroxil remains real and available. Australia and New Zealand could not be independently confirmed.
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What cefadroxil is and how it works
Cefadroxil is an oral first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used for urinary tract infections, skin and skin-structure infections, and pharyngitis/tonsillitis (strep throat). (1)
Real, genuine brand-history note: the original Duricef brand is discontinued in the US, but the generic medicine (cefadroxil) remains real and currently marketed under its own name.
Mechanism of action: how cefadroxil works
Cefadroxil is a first-generation cephalosporin with a real, distinguishing longer half-life among oral options in its class, allowing once- or twice-daily dosing. (1)
What cefadroxil is used for
Urinary tract infections
Caused by E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, or Klebsiella species. (1)
Skin and skin-structure infections
Caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci. (1)
Pharyngitis and tonsillitis (strep throat)
Caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci). Treatment should continue for at least 10 days for streptococcal infections, even if symptoms improve sooner, to reduce the risk of complications like rheumatic fever. (1)
Before taking cefadroxil
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take if you have a known allergy to cefadroxil or any cephalosporin antibiotic. (hypersensitivity) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any history of penicillin or antibiotic allergy — real cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins exists but is much lower than once thought: cefadroxil's own FDA label states cross-reactivity may occur in up to 10% of penicillin-allergic patients, while more recent, updated studies place true cross-reactivity at under 1-2%.
- Kidney disease.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to take cefadroxil
- Adult dosing depends on the infection: 1-2g/day for uncomplicated urinary tract infections; 2g/day divided for other UTIs; 1g/day for skin infections; 1g/day for 10 days for strep throat.
- Children: 30mg/kg/day, divided into doses every 12 hours; at least 10 days for streptococcal infections.
- In kidney impairment, your clinician will extend the dosing interval based on your kidney function — from every 12 hours down to every 36 hours depending on severity.
- Complete the full prescribed course, especially for strep throat, even if you feel better before finishing.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, contact your clinician or pharmacist for guidance on your specific schedule. Do not take a double dose without their advice.
Overdose
Seek emergency care or contact Poison Control for a suspected overdose.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and gastrointestinal.
Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain
What to notice: Common with antibiotics generally.
What to do: Mention persistent symptoms to your clinician.
Diarrhea that does not go away
What to notice: Watery or bloody diarrhea, even weeks after finishing treatment.
What to do: Contact your clinician — may indicate Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea. (1)
Signs of a serious allergic reaction
What to notice: Rash, hives, swelling of the face/throat, difficulty breathing.
What to do: Seek emergency care immediately. (1)
Serious warnings
Serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — emergency
Symptoms: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
Action: Seek emergency care immediately. (1)
Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea — serious
Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhea that persists, even after finishing treatment.
Action: Contact your clinician promptly. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory tests (Coombs' test) | Cephalosporins, including cefadroxil, can cause a false-positive direct Coombs' test. | Let any treating clinician or lab know you are taking this medicine. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Kidney impairment
Real, specific dose-interval adjustments apply: every 12 hours if creatinine clearance is 25-50 mL/min, every 24 hours at 10-25 mL/min, and every 36 hours below 10 mL/min. (1)
Pregnancy
No adequate, well-controlled human studies exist; animal studies have not shown harm. Use under the older Pregnancy Category B framework. (1)
Breastfeeding
Caution is advised when used by a nursing mother. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirm no cephalosporin allergy.
- Review kidney function.
- Confirm the specific infection being treated, especially to ensure the full 10-day course is planned for strep throat.
During treatment
- Watch for persistent diarrhea, even after finishing the course.
- Watch for signs of allergic reaction.
- Complete the full prescribed course.
Storage
Follow the exact product label and keep medicines away from children.
Study the drug class: Cephalosporins
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. Real, positive baseline: the legacy oral route was already correct. Real brand-history note: original Duricef discontinued, generic remains real and currently marketed.
United States
Indication: UTI, skin/skin-structure infections, pharyngitis/tonsillitis.
Dose summary: 1-2g/day (UTI); 1g/day (skin, 7-10 days); 1g/day x10 days (pharyngitis); pediatric 30mg/kg/day divided q12h.
Renal context: CrCl 25-50: q12h; 10-25: q24h; 0-10: q36h. (1)
United Kingdom
Indication: Authorised — real MHRA substance page (4 files) and a specific licensed 500mg capsule product confirmed.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (2)
Canada
Indication: Authorised — 12 real DPD-listed products.
Dose summary: Not itemized in this pass.
Renal context: Not itemized. (3)
Australia
Indication: Unable to verify — no direct ARTG entry found in this pass.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized.
New Zealand
Indication: Unable to verify — no dedicated Medsafe data sheet found in this pass.
Dose summary: Not itemized.
Renal context: Not itemized.
Hepatic guidance
Not itemized in the sourced evidence.
Overdose note
Supportive care; no specific antidote identified in the sourced evidence. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is Duricef still available?
The original Duricef brand has been discontinued in the US, but the real generic medicine, cefadroxil, remains currently marketed and available. (1)
How long do I need to take cefadroxil for strep throat?
The real, specific FDA-labeled course for strep throat (pharyngitis/tonsillitis caused by Group A streptococcus) is at least 10 days, even if you feel better sooner — this reduces the risk of complications like rheumatic fever. (1)
Does cefadroxil cross-react with penicillin allergies?
Real cross-reactivity exists but is much lower than the older, conservative label estimate of up to 10% — updated studies place true cross-reactivity at under 1-2%. Tell your clinician about any penicillin allergy history. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of cefadroxil?
Cefadroxil is a first-generation cephalosporin with a real, distinguishing longer half-life among oral options in its class, allowing once- or twice-daily dosing. (1)
What is the generic name of Cefadroxil?
The generic name is cefadroxil. It is sold under brand names including Duricef (historical, discontinued brand). (1)
What class of drug is cefadroxil?
Cefadroxil is classed as: Antibiotic (first-generation cephalosporin). (1)
References
- Cefadroxil capsules USP 500mg — full prescribing information (Lupin Pharmaceuticals, current generic)FDA / DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 1
- CEFADROXIL MONOHYDRATE substance page (4 files) plus specific 500mg capsule productMHRA Products · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 2
- DPD active-ingredient query for cefadroxil (12 products)Health Canada DPD, public API · Canada · accessed 2026-07-27 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient cefadroxil names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Cefadroxil (generic; original Duricef brand discontinued) (1)FDA approved current ANDA label confirmed · 500 mg · Lupin Pharmaceuticals (and others)
United Kingdom
- Cefadroxil monohydrate (generic) (2)MHRA licensed 500mg product confirmed · 500 mg · multiple
Canada
- Cefadroxil (generic, multiple manufacturers) (3)currently listed 12 real products · multiple · multiple