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What is Cephalexin
CephalexinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryCephalexin is a type of antibiotic that stops bacteria from making and repairing their cell walls. It was the first of its kind approved by the FDA in 1971 and is used to treat bacterial infections.
Keflexis the brand name
Cephalexin Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Keflex
Cephalexin
1971
408
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Cephalexin, also known as Keflex, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses like Genitourinary tract infection and Bone Infection .Genitourinary tract infection
Bone Infection
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
prostatitis
Communicable Diseases
Respiratory Tract Infections
Otitis Media (OM)
Effectiveness
How Cephalexin Affects PatientsCephalexin (also called Cefalexin) is a common antibiotic used to treat skin infections caused by minor wounds or lacerations. It works by interfering with the cell wall of bacteria, causing it to break down and die, which stops the infection from spreading.
How Cephalexin works in the bodyCephalexin is an antibiotic used to fight bacteria. It works by targeting the cell wall of the bacteria, weakening it until it breaks down and the bacteria die. Cephalexin holds up better against certain enzymes that can destroy other antibiotics.
When to interrupt dosage
The quantity of Cephalexin is contingent upon the diagnosed malady, for example, Otitis Media (OM), Respiratory Tract Infections and prostatitis. The amount of dosage can be found in the table below, determined by the method of delivery.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Genitourinary tract infection
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Communicable Diseases
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Bone Infection
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Respiratory Tract Infections
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
prostatitis
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Otitis Media (OM)
, 125.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 125.0 mg, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension, Powder, for suspension - Oral, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral
Warnings
Cephalexin ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Common Cephalexin Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The excretion of Abemaciclib can be decreased when combined with Cephalexin.
Neomycin
Major
The risk or severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased when Cephalexin is combined with Neomycin.
Procainamide
Major
The excretion of Procainamide can be decreased when combined with Cephalexin.
Tenofovir
Major
Cephalexin may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir.
Tenofovir alafenamide
Major
Cephalexin may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir alafenamide.
Cephalexin Toxicity & Overdose RiskSymptoms of an overdose on cephalexin may include blood in the urine, diarrhea, nausea, upper abdominal pain, and vomiting. The most toxic dose of cephalexin in rats is over 5000mg/kg and in humans is 14mg/kg. Taking cephalexin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is generally considered safe, though infants may be exposed to a very small amount of the drug in breast milk. It has not been studied for its effects on fertility or cancer.
Cephalexin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Cephalexin?
Two investigations are presently being conducted to assess the potential of Cephalexin as a treatment for Otitis Media (OM), Bone Infection and Communicable Diseases.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Communicable Diseases
0 Actively Recruiting
Otitis Media (OM)
0 Actively Recruiting
Bone Infection
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
Respiratory Tract Infections
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
0 Actively Recruiting
prostatitis
0 Actively Recruiting
Genitourinary tract infection
0 Actively Recruiting
Cephalexin Reviews: What are patients saying about Cephalexin?
5Patient Review
10/23/2021 This treatment worked perfectly for me. I followed the instructions and had no issues.
5Patient Review
12/16/2021 I was diagnosed with cellulitis and given this medication. I started to feel better just a few hours after taking the first pill, and now three days later I feel great!
5Patient Review
9/5/2022 I had an infection that my doctor originally thought was fungal, but it ended up being bacterial. This product cleared things up in just two days, and I'm finally starting to feel better. My skin is also looking normal again. Thankful for this!
5Patient Review
11/8/2022 I understand why some people might be hesitant to take this medication after reading the reviews, but I'm glad I decided to try it anyway. For me, it was completely effective with no side effects.
5Patient Review
2/17/2021 I've only been taking this for two days and I can already tell it's working. My arm is much less red and swollen, and the pain has gone down significantly. So far, no negative side effects either!
5Patient Review
1/6/2022 This was prescribed to me when I had an infection from surgery. The pain was unbearable, but after just 24 hours on this medication I noticed a significant reduction in pain levels.
4.7Patient Review
8/12/2022 I've had to take this a few times now for strep throat and it's really the only thing that works for me. Amoxicillin does nothing, so I'm grateful to have found something that does the job. The only downside is having to take it four times a day.
3.7Patient Review
7/19/2022 I was prescribed this medication for a soft tissue infection in my right hand, which was caused by a dog bite. The infection was very red, sore, and swollen, involving my thumb, forefinger, and middle finger.After taking the medication for two days (500 mg four times per day), I've noticed that the pain is decreasing and the swelling has reduced somewhat. However, I am also experiencing serious diarrhea as a side effect. I may need to reduce the dosage to three times daily and extend the length of time I'm taking it. I'll be checking with my pharmacist about this.
2.7Patient Review
3/23/2021 I had awful side effects from this medication, including heart palpitations, constant headaches and diarrhoea. It also gave me anxiety, which was a new experience for me. Thankfully, all of the symptoms went away as soon as I stopped taking the medication.
2.3Patient Review
11/11/2021 I had a severe allergic reaction to this the first day I took it, including swelling of my face and lips as well as intense itching.
1Patient Review
3/15/2021 I had an allergic reaction to this medication, characterized by severe itching. Definitely not the right treatment for me--I'm seeing a different doctor tomorrow.
1Patient Review
10/21/2022 I was prescribed this medication for a UTI, but after taking it for only two days I started having really bad heart palpitations. So bad that I had to go to the ER. My whole body was shaking.
Patient Q&A Section about cephalexin
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is cephalexin 500 mg a penicillin?
"Cephalexin and amoxicillin are two different types of antibiotics. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic, and amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic."
Answered by AI
What is cephalexin used to treat?
"Cefalexin is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins. It is used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, other chest infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections (UTIs)."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of cephalexin 500mg?
"The side effects of the medication include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn, stomach pain, rectal or genital itching, dizziness, and extreme tiredness."
Answered by AI
Is cephalexin a strong antibiotic?
"Cephalexin is an effective antibiotic against a wide variety of bacteria, making it a broad-spectrum antibiotic."
Answered by AI