Cefadroxil — Compare Prices at US & Canada Pharmacies
Compare real Cefadroxil prices at US and Canadian pharmacies, see official FDA uses and warnings, and find generic alternatives. Save up to 71% by comparing Canada pharmacy prices.
How much does cefadroxil (Duricef) cost without insurance?
Generic cefadroxil is typically inexpensive with a discount card. See the pharmacy-by-pharmacy pricing above for real current numbers for your strength and quantity.
Is there a generic version of Duricef?
Yes — generic cefadroxil is what's dispensed by default at most pharmacies.
Do I need a prescription for cefadroxil?
Yes, in the US and Canada. It's not available over the counter.
How can I save on cefadroxil?
Compare discount-card pricing across pharmacies for your exact strength and quantity — the spread can still be meaningful for this generic.
"As low as" figures compare the single lowest oral tablet/capsule price found on each side — not necessarily the same strength or pack size. Always check the full tables below for your exact dose. Prices updated 2026-08-21.
Cefadroxil prices at US pharmacies
Cefadroxil — capsule, 500mg, qty 14
| Pharmacy | Retail price | With discount card |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Pharmacy Lowest | $11.57 | $8.57 |
| Harris Teeter Pharmacy | $11.57 | $8.57 |
| Walmart Neighborhood Market | $13.59 | $10.59 |
| Walmart Pharmacy | $13.59 | $10.59 |
| Food Lion | $12.07 | — |
| Costco | $14.99 | — |
| Walgreens | $19.06 | $16.06 |
| Publix | $21.87 | — |
Cefadroxil prices at Canadian pharmacies
| Strength | Pharmacy | Per pill (USD) | Pack total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg | CanadianPharmacyAdvantage.com | $0.18 | $36.31 / 200 |
| 500 mg | CanadaPharmacies.com | $0.23 | $46.99 / 200 |
| 500 mg | CanadianPharmacyAdvantage.com | $0.23 | $23.27 / 100 |
| 500 mg | CanadaPharmacies.com | $0.34 | $33.99 / 100 |
| 500 mg | LifeRxPharmacy.com | $0.37 | $33.02 / 90 |
| 500 mg | LifeRxPharmacy.com | $0.44 | $26.42 / 60 |
| 500 mg | InhalersOnline.com | $0.51 | $45.90 / 90 |
| 500 mg | SPFPharmacy.com | $1.07 | $213.78 |
| 500 mg | SPFPharmacy.com | $1.17 | $116.76 |
| 500 mg | InhalersOnline.com | $1.22 | $121.50 |
Canada prices are converted to USD at time of collection and shown per tablet where available. Ordering from Canadian pharmacies is legal for personal use in most cases but subject to FDA/CBSA rules — see US vs Canada, explained.
What is Cefadroxil used for?
Cefadroxil is a first-generation cephalosporin, closely related to cephalexin, with one practical advantage: a longer half-life that allows once- or twice-daily dosing instead of the every-6-hours schedule cephalexin sometimes requires, which some people find easier to stick to for a full course.
It's used for similar situations as cephalexin — uncomplicated skin infections, strep throat, and uncomplicated UTIs — and shares the same basic coverage gaps, including not reliably covering MRSA, which needs a different antibiotic choice.
As with other cephalosporins, a history of a severe penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis, throat swelling) is worth flagging before starting it, since there's a small but real chance of cross-reactivity.
How Cefadroxil works
Targets the bacterial cell wall
Cefadroxil is a beta-lactam antibiotic that blocks the enzymes bacteria use to build and maintain their cell wall.
The wall weakens
Without proper wall construction, the bacterial cell can't withstand internal pressure.
The bacterial cell ruptures
This direct, bactericidal mechanism kills susceptible bacteria rather than just slowing them down.
Typical dosage forms & strengths
| Use | Typical adult dose | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Skin infections, strep throat (adults) | 500 mg–1 g once or twice daily | Capsule / tablet |
| Uncomplicated UTI | 1–2 g once daily, or divided into 2 doses | Capsule / tablet |
| Children | Weight-based (mg/kg/day), once or twice daily | Oral suspension |
General reference dosing from the FDA label — not personalized advice. Your prescribed dose may differ based on your infection, kidney function, age, and weight. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.
Related & alternative drugs
Commonly used for
Warnings & interactions
This is a summary of the official FDA label text, not personalized medical advice. It does not list every possible interaction or side effect. Always tell your prescriber and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take.
Common, usually mild
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, stomach upset
- Headache
- Mild rash
Serious — seek care promptly
- Severe or watery diarrhea (possible C. diff)
- Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, facial/throat swelling, trouble breathing
- Severe skin reaction (blistering, peeling)
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
Contraindications
Cefadroxil is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics.
Warnings
BEFORE THERAPY WITH CEFADROXIL IS INSTITUTED, CAREFUL INQUIRY SHOULD BE MADE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PATIENT HAS HAD PREVIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS TO CEFADROXIL, CEPHALOSPORINS, PENICILLINS, OR OTHER DRUGS. IF THIS PRODUCT IS TO BE GIVEN TO PENICILLIN-SENSITIVE PATIENTS, CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED BECAUSE 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. IF AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO CEFADROXIL OCCURS, DISCONTINUE THE DRUG.
Notable drug interactions
| Drug / substance | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Probenecid | Slows cefadroxil elimination, raising and prolonging blood levels. |
| Oral contraceptives | Rarely reported to reduce effectiveness; a backup method is a reasonable precaution. |
| Warfarin | May enhance anticoagulant effect in some people; monitoring is a reasonable precaution. |
| Metformin | Cephalosporins can modestly raise metformin levels — usually not clinically significant, but worth knowing. |
Cefadroxil, by the numbers
Additional public data points beyond retail pricing — useful context, not a price quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Cefadroxil cost without insurance?
Is Cefadroxil cheaper in Canada or the US?
Is there a generic version of Cefadroxil?
What drug class is Cefadroxil in?
Learn more about Cefadroxil
In-depth answers to common Cefadroxil questions, fact-checked against the sources cited in each.
Cefadroxil vs. cephalexin: which is better?
Cefadroxil and cephalexin are both first-generation cephalosporins with essentially the same antibacterial spectrum and the same core uses — uncomplicated skin infections, strep throat, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Neither reliably covers MRSA, so a different antibiotic is needed for that.
The practical difference is dosing frequency, not effectiveness: cefadroxil has a longer half-life, so it's typically taken once or twice a day, while cephalexin is often dosed every 6 hours. For some people — especially anyone who struggles to remember multiple daily doses — that makes cefadroxil easier to complete a full course with. Neither drug is objectively "stronger" than the other; your prescriber's choice usually comes down to the specific infection, local resistance patterns, and which dosing schedule you're more likely to stick to.
Can you drink alcohol while taking cefadroxil?
There's no FDA-documented severe interaction between cefadroxil and alcohol, unlike some other antibiotics (metronidazole and similar drugs can cause a genuinely dangerous reaction with alcohol — cefadroxil isn't one of them). That said, drinking can worsen the nausea and stomach upset cefadroxil sometimes causes, and it doesn't help your body fight the infection you're being treated for, so it's reasonable to keep alcohol light or skip it until you've finished your course.
Is cefadroxil a penicillin?
No — cefadroxil is a cephalosporin, a related but distinct class of antibiotics. Cephalosporins and penicillins share a similar core chemical structure (the beta-lactam ring) and work the same way, which is why there's a small but real chance of cross-reactivity: someone with a severe penicillin allergy (like anaphylaxis or throat swelling) has a somewhat higher-than-average chance of also reacting to cefadroxil, and should mention that allergy history before starting it.
How to take cefadroxil safely
Take cefadroxil exactly as prescribed, with or without food — food can help if it tends to upset your stomach. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is almost due, in which case skip the missed one rather than doubling up. Finish the entire course even after you start feeling better; stopping early lets surviving bacteria regrow and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Tell your provider about your full medical history before starting, especially kidney problems and any past reaction to a penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotic. If you're prescribed the oral suspension, shake it well before each dose and measure it with the syringe or cup provided rather than a kitchen spoon.
Page info
Prices last checked 2026-08-21. Reviewed against FDA and DailyMed official sources — see our review process. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Christopher J. Graber, M.D., MPH, FIDSA, Infectious Disease