Drug interactions
Cefadroxil + Ethinylestradiol
Severity: Minor
Cefadroxil and Ethinylestradiol: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Broad-spectrum antibiotics have been suspected of reducing ethinylestradiol exposure by altering gut flora and enterohepatic recycling. Controlled data for non-rifamycin antibiotics do not show consistent reductions, so contraceptive failure is considered unlikely. Isolated case reports account for the lingering caution.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefadroxil and Ethinylestradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Proposed reduced bacterial hydrolysis of estrogen conjugates in the gut, decreasing reabsorption; not well established for cephalosporins.
What to do
No additional contraception is routinely required, though counselling on missed doses and vomiting or diarrhea is advisable. Use backup contraception if severe gastrointestinal illness occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cefadroxil and Ethinylestradiol, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cefadroxil
- Amikacin + Cefadroxil Moderate
- Avelumab + Cefadroxil Moderate
- Balstilimab + Cefadroxil Moderate
- Bcg vaccine live + Cefadroxil Moderate
- Cefadroxil + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefadroxil + Gentamicin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefadroxil with Ethinylestradiol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Cefadroxil and Ethinylestradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Broad-spectrum antibiotics have been suspected of reducing ethinylestradiol exposure by altering gut flora and enterohepatic recycling. Controlled data for non-rifamycin antibiotics do not show consistent reductions, so contraceptive failure is considered unlikely. Isolated case reports account for the lingering caution.
How serious is the interaction between Cefadroxil and Ethinylestradiol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No additional contraception is routinely required, though counselling on missed doses and vomiting or diarrhea is advisable. Use backup contraception if severe gastrointestinal illness occurs.
What other medicines interact with Cefadroxil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefadroxil with, for example, Amikacin, Avelumab, Balstilimab. The full list is on the Cefadroxil page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
