The dosage of Cefadroxil depends on the susceptibility of the pathogens, the severity of the disease and on the clinical status of the patient (renal and hepatic function).
Streptococcal pharyngitis and tonsillitis-
- Adult and adolescents >40 kg with normal renal function: 1000 mg once a day over at least 10 days. Dosage may be decreased.
- Children <40 kg with normal renal function: 30 mg/kg/day once a day over at least 10 days.
Bronchopneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, Urinary tract infections, Skin & soft tissue infections-
- Adult and adolescents >40 kg with normal renal function: 1000 mg twice a day.
- Children <40 kg with normal renal function: 30-35 mg/kg/day divided into two daily doses.
Children may benefit of increased posology up to 100 mg/kg/day. Depending on the severity of the infection, adults may require increased posology. The dosage maximum is 4 g per day. Chronic urinary tract infection may require a prolonged and intensive treatment with continued testing of susceptibility and clinical monitoring. Cefadroxil 500 mg is not recommended for infants and children under 6 years. For younger children and children with a body weight <40 kg, liquid dosage oral form is recommended.
Renal impairment patients: In patients with renal impairment, the dose should be adjusted according to creatinine clearance rates to prevent accumulation of cefadroxil. In patients with creatinine clearance of 50 ml/min or less, the following reduced dosage schedule is recommended as a guideline.
- Creatinine clearance 50-25 ml/min/1.73 m2: 500 mg-1000 mg every 12 hours
- Creatinine clearance 25-10 ml/min/1.73 m2: 500 mg-1000 mg every 24 hours
- Creatinine clearance 10-0 ml/min/1.73 m2: 500 mg-1000 mg every 36 hours
- Children (<40 kg) with renal impairment: Cefadroxil is not indicated in children suffering from renal insufficiency and children requiring haemodialysis.
- Dosage for haemodialysis patients: Haemodialysis eliminates 63% of 1000 mg of cephalosporin after 6 to 8 hours of haemodialysis. Elimination half-time of cephalosporin is about 3 hours during dialysis. Patients with haemodialysis receive one additional dose ofcefadroxil 500 mg-1000 mg at the end of the haemodialysis.
Hepatic impairment: No adjustment of posology is necessary.
- Elderly: As cefadroxil is excreted by renal route, the dosage should be adjusted if necessary as described under impaired renal function.
Mode of administration: Bioavailability is not affected by food and cefadroxil may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach. In case of gastro-intestinal disturbances, it may be administered with food.
Duration of therapy: Treatment should be applied for 2 to 3 further days after regression of the acute clinical symptoms or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained. In infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes up to 10 days treatment may be considered.