An overview of results of world-wide clinical trials with cefadroxil

Céfadroxil, a new semisynthetic oral cephalosporin, is absorbed similarly by fasted and non-fasted subjects, produces sustained serum levels and is eliminated at a relatively slow rate. These pharmacokinetic properties permit less frequent and more convenient dosage scheduling than cephalexin and cephradine and consequently greater patient compliance. Cefadroxil was evaluated for safety in 1051 patients and for efficacy in 1030 patients. Overall it achieved a 91.8% rate of clinical success resulting from 881 complete cures and sixty-five clinical cures. Among 363 patients with respiratory tract infections and 471 patients with genito-urinary tract infections, cefadroxil treatment produced 97.5% and 84.5% clinical success, respectively. In the remaining infectious diseases treated, cefadroxil therapy resulted in 99.0% clinical success. Cefadroxil eradicated 87% of 1110 pathogens isolated, among which the most predominant pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus, beta-haemolytic streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Drug-related side-effects were reported in 7.2% of the patients.