Keflex

Urinary Tract Infections, Respiratory Tract Infections, prostatitis + 4 more

Treatment

14 FDA approvals

0 Active Studies for Keflex

What is Keflex

Cephalexin

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Cephalexin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporins and works by blocking the growth of bacteria in the body. Cephalexin was approved by the FDA in 1971 and is one of the first generation cephalosporins.

Keflex

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Keflex 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 14 uses like Recurrent Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) and Streptococcus Pneumoniae .

Recurrent Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs)

Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Genitourinary tract infection

Bone Infection

Otitis Media (OM)

Skin and skin structure infections

acute Prostatitis

Pneumococcal Infections

Respiratory Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections

Osteomyelitis

Otitis

Communicable Diseases

prostatitis

Effectiveness

How Keflex Affects Patients

Cephalexin (also called Cefalexin) is a type of antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by minor wounds or cuts. It works by stopping the bacteria from forming a protective wall around themselves, which leads to the bacteria's destruction. Cephalexin is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics.

How Keflex works in the body

Cephalexin is a type of antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing or reproducing. It does this by preventing bacteria from forming new cell walls, which eventually kills them. Cephalexin is stronger than some other types of antibiotics because it resists being broken down by certain enzymes.

When to interrupt dosage

The advised dosage of Keflex is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including Otitis Media (OM), Respiratory Tract Infections and prostatitis. The amount of dosage also depends upon the method of delivery as expressed in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

Urinary 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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

Pneumococcal 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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

Osteomyelitis

, 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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

Otitis

, 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 - Oral, Suspension, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Powder, for suspension - Oral, Powder, for suspension, For suspension, For suspension - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet, soluble, Tablet, soluble - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating

Warnings

Keflex Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Keflex.

Common Keflex 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.

Keflex Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Signs of an overdose of cephalexin can include blood in the urine, diarrhea, nausea, upper abdominal pain, and vomiting. Treatment for an overdose is typically supportive care, as dialysis or charcoal hemoperfusion have not been studied in this case. The toxic dose in rats is over 5000mg/kg and in monkeys is over 1g/kg. In humans, the lowest dose that causes a toxic effect is 14mg/kg. Cephalexin is considered safe during pregnancy and is present in breast milk, although it has not been studied for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or its effects on

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Keflex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Keflex?

Currently, two clinical trials are being conducted to assess the utility of Keflex in Otitis Media (OM), Bone Infection and Communicable Disease treatment.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Osteomyelitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Otitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Respiratory Tract Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

Urinary Tract Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

prostatitis

0 Actively Recruiting

Pneumococcal Infections

0 Actively Recruiting

Communicable Diseases

0 Actively Recruiting

Keflex Reviews: What are patients saying about Keflex?

5

Patient Review

8/22/2022

Keflex for Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection

This medication was really effective for me. The burning stopped within a day or two and I didn't experience any side effects. If you're considering this, just make sure to take it with food.

5

Patient Review

1/4/2021

Keflex for infection caused by bacteria

This worked really well for me and got rid of the infection quickly with no side effects.

5

Patient Review

12/26/2019

Keflex for Bacterial Pneumonia caused by Streptococcus

This treatment was effective very quickly. Within a few hours I felt much better.

5

Patient Review

2/11/2020

Keflex for Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection

After taking Macrobid and having terrible side effects, I switched to Keflex. This new medication was much easier to take and worked quickly.

4.7

Patient Review

9/15/2018

Keflex for infection caused by bacteria

So far, this medication has been working well for me. I've experienced some side effects like headaches and dizziness, but nothing too severe. It's good to know that the doctor warned me about possible reactions before starting the treatment.

4.3

Patient Review

3/1/2019

Keflex for Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection

I was hesitant to take this medication at first because I had been overprescribed antibiotics as a child; however, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because I noticed a change in my urine the very next day. There was some mild cramping on the fourth day and loose stools (which went away when I increased my intake of probiotics), but overall it was well tolerated.

3

Patient Review

5/21/2019

Keflex for Urinary Tract Infection due to E. Coli Bacteria

Keflex successfully got rid of my UTI. However, I experienced some vaginal dryness and possible yeast infection as side effects.

1.7

Patient Review

6/1/2019

Keflex for infection caused by bacteria

I had intense joint pain after taking just one pill of this medication. It started in my fingers and then quickly spread to my elbows, toes, feet, and knees. The pain was nearly unbearable by the end of the day. I stopped taking it immediately.

1.7

Patient Review

10/9/2022

Keflex for Urinary Tract Infection due to E. Coli Bacteria

Many months have passed and I'm still dealing with the aftermath of this treatment. My hand is a different color and I generally feel weak. I am87 years old; I deserve better than this.

1

Patient Review

5/29/2020

Keflex for infection caused by bacteria

I got really sick after taking this drug. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

1

Patient Review

10/23/2018

Keflex for infection caused by bacteria

I'm on day four of this treatment and so far I haven't seen any results or felt any relief.

1

Patient Review

1/27/2021

Keflex for Bacterial Urinary Tract Infection

I developed severe diarrhea within two days of taking this medication, and it persisted for several more days. I ended up in the hospital where I was diagnosed with C difficile colitis.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about keflex

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What infections does Keflex treat?

"Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can also lead to tonsillitis. A middle ear infection (also called otitis media) is often caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. This is called Streptococcus. Another bacteria called Moraxella catarrhalis is also a common cause of middle ear infection. Staphylococcus is another bacteria that can cause this type of infection."

Answered by AI

What is Keflex antibiotic used for?

"This medication is used to treat bacterial infections. It is a cephalosporin antibiotic and it works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This medication cannot be used to treat viral infections."

Answered by AI

Is Keflex a very strong antibiotic?

"Keflex is very effective in treating gram-positive staphylococci and streptococci bacteria, including strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyrogens, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pnumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Proteus mirabilis."

Answered by AI

Is Keflex the same as amoxicillin?

"The drugs Keflex and amoxicillin are in different categories. Keflex is a cephalosporin antibiotic while amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic."

Answered by AI