Cefadroxil Coupons & Prices

Looking for a cefadroxil coupon? Cefadroxil is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic available as a generic in capsules, tablets, and oral suspension. The original brands, Duricef and Ultracef, are no longer marketed in the US, so the generic is what your pharmacy fills. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ a great deal from one pharmacy to the next, even within a few miles, which is exactly why it pays to compare. Rx.com checks prices at more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can see what cefadroxil costs near you before you go. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and print, text, or show your free coupon at the counter.

What is cefadroxil and how does it work?

Cefadroxil is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It works against bacteria that are susceptible to it, and it does nothing for colds, the flu, or other viral infections. Using an antibiotic when it is not needed only helps bacteria become resistant to it later.

The FDA-approved uses for oral cefadroxil are infections caused by susceptible bacteria:

• Urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis, and Klebsiella species
• Skin and skin structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci
• Pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep)

It comes as capsules, tablets, and an oral suspension, and is usually taken every 12 or 24 hours, with or without food. Those three uses are the complete FDA-approved list for cefadroxil. Preventing a heart valve infection (infective endocarditis) before dental work is not an FDA-approved use of cefadroxil; it is an off-label, guideline-based use. American Heart Association guidance names cephalexin as the oral cephalosporin option for people with a penicillin or amoxicillin allergy, and allows "another first- or second-generation cephalosporin" in an equivalent dose, which is where cefadroxil can fit. Importantly, that same guidance says cephalosporins should not be used at all in anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, angioedema, or hives (urticaria) after penicillin or ampicillin; those patients are given azithromycin, clarithromycin, or doxycycline instead. Your prescriber decides which use, dose, and length of treatment fit your situation.

What cefadroxil costs without insurance, and how to compare

Cefadroxil is only sold as a generic in the US, and there is no manufacturer savings card for it. That does not mean every pharmacy charges the same thing. Cash prices for an identical quantity and strength can vary widely by pharmacy and by ZIP code, so the pharmacy closest to you is not automatically the cheapest one.

If you are paying cash, or if your plan's copay is higher than the cash price, a free Rx.com coupon can be used instead of insurance. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you, then bring the coupon to the counter. Because a course of an antibiotic is usually short, it is worth checking the price before you drop the prescription off rather than after. You cannot combine a discount coupon with your insurance on the same fill, so ask the pharmacist to run whichever comes out lower for you.

Cefadroxil vs. other cephalosporins and antibiotic alternatives

Cefadroxil is closely related to cephalexin (Keflex), the other widely used first-generation oral cephalosporin. They are not the same drug, and they are not interchangeable at the pharmacy, but they are used for overlapping types of infections. One practical difference is dosing schedule: cefadroxil is taken every 12 or 24 hours, while cephalexin is typically taken more often through the day.

Other oral options a prescriber may consider, depending on the infection and on your allergy history, include the second-generation cephalosporins cefuroxime and cefprozil, the third-generation cefdinir, and the penicillin-class antibiotic amoxicillin. Only your prescriber can choose the right antibiotic for the bacteria involved. If you have been prescribed one of these instead, you can look up and compare its price on Rx.com the same way.

Safety information you should know

Cefadroxil has no boxed warning. It should not be taken by anyone with a known allergy to cephalosporins. The cefadroxil prescribing information states that cross-sensitivity among beta-lactam antibiotics has been clearly documented and may occur in up to 10% of patients with a history of penicillin allergy; more recent allergy research suggests the true rate is lower, often cited around 1% to 2% for cephalosporins whose chemical side chains differ from the penicillin involved. Either way, a serious anaphylactic reaction can require epinephrine and emergency care, so tell your prescriber and pharmacist about any drug allergy before you start, and describe what the reaction actually was. Cephalosporins are not an option at all for people who have had anaphylaxis, angioedema, or hives from penicillin or ampicillin. Antibiotics including cefadroxil have been linked to Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, which can range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis and has been reported to begin even two months or more after you finish the medicine, so do not dismiss watery or bloody stools just because the course ended a while ago.

Because more than 90% of the drug leaves the body unchanged in the urine, people with markedly impaired kidney function (creatinine clearance under 50 mL/min/1.73 m2) need a dose adjustment and should use cefadroxil with caution. If you have diabetes and test your urine for glucose, use an enzyme-based test such as Clinistix or TesTape rather than Clinitest, since cefadroxil can affect the result. Call your prescriber about watery or bloody stools, a rash, trouble breathing, swelling, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. This is a summary, not medical advice, and not a complete list of risks. Read the information that comes with your prescription and talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your own situation.