Antibiotics / Generic Duricef

Duricef is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Duricef(cefadroxil) is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation. This weakens the cell wall, causing it to rupture, resulting in death of the bacteria.

Do NOT use Duricef if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Duricef or any other cephalosporin (eg, cephalexin)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Duricef(cefadroxil) :

Some medical conditions may interact with Duricef(cefadroxil). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have a blood clotting disorder, kidney problems, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation)
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness) to a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Duricef. However, no specific interactions with Duricef are known at this time.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Duricef may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Duricef :

Use Duricef as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Duricef may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Taking it with food may help to decrease stomach upset.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue taking Duricef for the full course of treatment, even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses.
• Do not miss any doses. If you miss a dose of Duricef , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Duricef.

Important safety information:

• If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect that needs immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• It is important to use Duricef for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Duricef and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibacterial medicines in the future.
• Duricef is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Duricef may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• Diabetes patients - Duricef may cause incorrect test results with some urine glucose tests. Check with your doctor before you adjust the dose of your diabetes medicine or change your diet.
• Duricef may interfere with some lab test results. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are using Duricef.
• Use Duricef with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Duricef.
• Use Duricef with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age who have diarrhea or a stomach or bowel infection.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Duricef during pregnancy. Duricef is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Duricef , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Duricef :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; dark urine; decreased urination; fever, chills, or sore throat; joint pain; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vaginal itching, odor, or discharge; yellowing of the skin or eyes.