Cefadroxil. A review of its antibacterial, pharmacokinetic and therapeutic properties in comparison with cephalexin and cephradine.

Cefadroxil is an oral cephalosporin which is similar to cephalexin and cephradine in structure and spectrum of antibacterial activity, but has different pharmacokinetic properties. Not only does cefadroxil exhibit a longer serum half-life, and thus a prolonged duration of activity, but it is virtually unaffected by simultaneous food intake. The concentrations of cefadroxil attained in body tissues and fluids are also higher and more sustained than those of cephalexin and cephradine. These characteristics permit the administration of cefadroxil during meals on a once-daily or twice-daily basis, thus encouraging patient compliance which often determines the successful management of out-patient infections. Many studies have established the efficacy of the administration of once- or twice-daily cefadroxil, compared with regimens of cephalexin or cephradine given 4 times daily, in the management of infections in the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and bones and joints.