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What is Keflex
CephalexinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryCephalexin 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.
Keflexis the brand name
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 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 Keflex Affects PatientsCephalexin (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 bodyCephalexin 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
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
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
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
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
Keflex ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
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 RiskSigns 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
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
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
Keflex Reviews: What are patients saying about Keflex?
5Patient Review
8/22/2022 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.
5Patient Review
1/4/2021 This worked really well for me and got rid of the infection quickly with no side effects.
5Patient Review
12/26/2019 This treatment was effective very quickly. Within a few hours I felt much better.
5Patient Review
2/11/2020 After taking Macrobid and having terrible side effects, I switched to Keflex. This new medication was much easier to take and worked quickly.
4.7Patient Review
9/15/2018 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.
4.3Patient Review
3/1/2019 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.
3Patient Review
5/21/2019 Keflex successfully got rid of my UTI. However, I experienced some vaginal dryness and possible yeast infection as side effects.
1.7Patient Review
6/1/2019 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.
1.7Patient Review
10/9/2022 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.
1Patient Review
5/29/2020 I got really sick after taking this drug. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
1Patient Review
10/23/2018 I'm on day four of this treatment and so far I haven't seen any results or felt any relief.
1Patient Review
1/27/2021 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.
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