Cefadroxil
Cefadroxil monohydrate
Also known as: Cefa-Drops · Duricef · BL-S578 · cefadroxilum · cephadroxil · MJF-11567-3
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible infections (skin, soft tissue, GU) | 22 mg/kg PO twice daily | PO | q12h | Skin/soft tissue: at least 3 days. GU: at least 7 days. Max 30 days. | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible Staph infections | 30 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| UTI | 11-22 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | 7-30 days | 🌎 NA |
| Skin, pyoderma | 22-35 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | 3-30 days | 🌎 NA |
| Systemic, orthopedic infections | 22 mg/kg PO q8-12h | PO | q8-12h | 30 days | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible gram-positive infections | 10 mg/kg q12h | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible gram-negative infections | 30 mg/kg q8h | PO | q8h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Canine pyoderma/infectious otitis | 22 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| UTI | 10-20 mg/kg PO q8h | PO | q8h | 7-10 days (acute), up to 4 weeks (chronic), 4-8 weeks (pyelonephritis) | 🌎 NA |
| UTI | 30 mg/kg PO q8h | PO | q8h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Superficial and deep bacterial pyoderma | 22-33 mg/kg PO 2-3 times daily | PO | q8-12h | — | 🌎 NA |
- Susceptible infections (skin, soft tissue, GU): Treat for at least 48 hours after animal is afebrile and asymptomatic. Reevaluate if no response after 3 days.
- Susceptible Staph infections: May not be adequate dose for non-UTI's caused by E. coli.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTI | 22 mg/kg PO once daily | PO | q24h | 21 days or less | 🌎 NA |
| Skin, pyoderma | 22-35 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | 3-30 days | 🌎 NA |
| Systemic, orthopedic infections | 22 mg/kg PO q8-12h | PO | q8-12h | 30 days | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible gram-positive infections | 10 mg/kg q12h | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible gram-negative infections | 30 mg/kg q8h | PO | q8h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Susceptible infections | 22 mg/kg PO q12h | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
Ferrets
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible infections | 15-20 mg/kg PO twice daily | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Cefadroxil is a broad-spectrum, first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic used primarily in veterinary medicine to treat susceptible bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissue, and genitourinary tract.
Structurally related to penicillins, cephalosporins contain a beta-lactam ring that confers their bactericidal activity. First-generation cephalosporins like cefadroxil are characterized by excellent activity against most gram-positive pathogens (including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus spp.) and variable, limited activity against gram-negative organisms (such as E. coli and Proteus mirabilis).
Clinical Pearl: Cefadroxil shares a nearly identical spectrum of activity with cephalexin, another common first-generation cephalosporin. However, cefadroxil has a slightly longer half-life in dogs and cats, which sometimes allows for less frequent dosing (e.g., twice daily instead of three times daily), though it is generally more expensive than generic cephalexin.
Mechanism of action
Cefadroxil is a time-dependent, bactericidal antibiotic.
It exerts its effect by binding to specific Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs) located inside the bacterial cell wall.
- Binding to PBPs → Inhibition of peptidoglycan cross-linking (the structural backbone of the bacterial cell wall) → Weakening of the cell wall → Activation of bacterial autolysins → Cell lysis and death.
Because it is a time-dependent antibiotic, maintaining serum drug concentrations above the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for the majority of the dosing interval is critical for clinical efficacy.
Safety & warnings
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
- Septicemia, shock, or grave illness (oral absorption is unreliable; parenteral routes required)
Adverse effects
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rash, fever, eosinophilia, anaphylaxis)
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea/superinfections
- Tachypnea (rare)
- Neurotoxicity (at high doses)
- Neutropenia/thrombocytopenia (rare, prolonged use)
- Hepatitis (rare)
- Nephrotoxicity (rare)
Precautions
Cross-Reactivity Warning: Use cautiously in patients with documented hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, carbapenems) due to potential cross-reactivity (up to 15% in humans; unknown in veterinary patients).
- Renal Impairment: Patients with diminished renal function may require dose adjustments and intensified renal monitoring, as the drug is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.
- Laboratory Interference:
- May cause false-positive urine glucose tests when using cupric sulfate solutions (e.g., Clinitest®).
- May falsely elevate serum/urine creatinine values when using the Jaffe reaction.
- May cause a false-positive direct Coombs' test.
- May falsely elevate 17-ketosteroid values in urine.
Drug interactions
Competitively blocks the tubular secretion of most cephalosporins, thereby increasing serum levels and serum half-lives.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (resolution of infection signs)
- Renal function (in patients with pre-existing diminished renal function)
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Well absorbed after oral administration in dogs, regardless of feeding state. Peak serum levels occur within 1-2 hours. Oral absorption in adult horses is poor and erratic; in foals, oral bioavailability averages 58.2%.
Distribution
Widely distributed to most tissues. Crosses the placenta and is distributed into milk. Only about 20% is bound to canine plasma proteins.
Metabolism
Minimal hepatic metabolism.
Elimination
Excreted primarily unchanged into the urine. Over 50% of a dose is recovered unchanged in canine urine within 24 hours.
Overdose
Acute oral cephalosporin overdoses are unlikely to cause significant problems other than gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia).
Massive overdoses or prolonged use, particularly in patients with compromised kidney function, may theoretically lead to neurotoxicity, neutropenia, hepatitis, or nephrotoxicity. Treatment is generally supportive and symptomatic.
Available products
Formulations
- Powder for oral suspension
- Oral tablets
- Oral capsules
Veterinary
- Cefadroxil Powder for Oral Suspension: 50 mg/mL in 15 mL and 50 mL bottles (Cefa-Drops®)
Human-labeled
- Cefadroxil Oral Tablets: 1 gram
- Cefadroxil Oral Capsules: 500 mg
- Cefadroxil Powder for Oral Suspension: 125 mg/5 mL, 250 mg/5 mL, & 500 mg/5 mL
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Store tablets, capsules, and unmixed powder at room temperature (15-30°C) in tight containers. After reconstitution, the oral suspension is stable for 14 days when kept refrigerated (2-8°C).
Client information
- Give with food: Cefadroxil can cause stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea. Giving the medication with a small meal or treat can significantly reduce these side effects.
- Finish the prescription: Always complete the entire course of antibiotics exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian, even if your pet seems completely better. Stopping early can lead to resistant infections.
- Liquid storage: If you were given the liquid suspension, it must be kept in the refrigerator. Discard any unused liquid after 14 days.
- Allergic reactions: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice signs of an allergic reaction, such as facial swelling, hives, severe rash, or difficulty breathing.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.