Duricef/Cefadroxil IS USED FOR:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Cefadroxil/Duricef 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.

BEFORE USING Duricef/Cefadroxil :

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

• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness) to a penicillin/Veetids antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin/Augmentin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)
• if you have a blood clotting disorder, kidney problems, or stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation)
• 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 are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cefadroxil/Duricef . However, no specific interactions with Cefadroxil/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 Cefadroxil/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/Cefadroxil :

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

• To clear up your infection completely, continue taking Cefadroxil/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 Cefadroxil/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.
• Cefadroxil/Duricef may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Taking it with food may help to decrease stomach upset.

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

DO NOT USE Duricef/Cefadroxil IF:

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

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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Duricef/Cefadroxil :

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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Cefadroxil/Duricef is effective only against bacteria. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Cefadroxil/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 - Cefadroxil/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.
• Use Cefadroxil/Duricef with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age who have diarrhea or a stomach or bowel infection.
• It is important to use Cefadroxil/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 Cefadroxil/Duricef and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibacterial medicines in the future.
• Use Cefadroxil/Duricef with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of Cefadroxil/Duricef .
• Cefadroxil/Duricef may interfere with some lab test results. Make sure your doctor and laboratory personnel know you are using Cefadroxil/Duricef .
• 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.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Cefadroxil/Duricef during pregnancy. Cefadroxil/Duricef is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Cefadroxil/Duricef , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.