Cephalexin

Cephalexin is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the lungs, ears, throat, urinary tract, skin, soft tissues, bones, and joints. It kills bacteria, which helps to improve your symptoms and cure the infection. Cephalexin may be taken with or without food. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you to remember to take it. The dose will depend on what you are being treated for, but you should always complete a full course of this antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it until you have finished, even when you feel better. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive and the infection may come back. It will not work for viral infections such as flu or the common cold. Using any antibiotic when you do not need it can make it less effective for future infections. The most common side effects of this medicine include rash, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea. These are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days. Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics or have any kidney or liver problems. You should also let your doctor know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.

Cephalexin is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

• Respiratory Tract Infections (acute and chronic bronchitis)
• Genito-urinary Tract Infections (nephritis, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis)
• Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
• Ear, Nose and Throat Infections (otitis media, mastoiditis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis)
• Bone Infections

Cephalexin is a semisynthetic analogue of Cephalosporin C. It kills bacteria by interfering in the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall. Peptidoglycan is a heteropolymeric structure that provides the cell wall with mechanical stability. The final stage in the synthesis of peptidoglycan involves the completion of the cross-linking and the terminal glycine residue of the Pentaglycine Bridge is linked to the fourth residue of the pentapeptide (d-alanin). The transpeptidase enzyme that performs this step is inhibited by penicillins and cephalosporins. As a result the bacterial cell wall is weakened, the cell swells and then ruptures. Cephalexin is a first generation cephalosporin that is active by mouth.

Cephalexin is an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

Adult Dose (Oral):

Pediatric Dose: 25-100 mg/kg/day (divided doses), maximum 4 g/day.

Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections: Continue treatment for at least 10 days.

Otitis Media: 75-100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses.

Renal Dose: CrCl 40-50: Max 3 g/day; CrCl 10-40: Max 1.5 g/day; CrCl <10: Max 750 mg/day.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cephalexin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

If you miss a dose of Cephalexin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Common Side Effects:

• Rash
• Allergic reaction
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal discomfort

• [SAFE] Cephalexin does not usually affect your ability to drive.
• Your doctor has prescribed Cephalexin to cure your infection and improve your symptoms. Take it with food to avoid an upset stomach.
• Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat.
• Discontinue Cephalexin and inform your doctor immediately if you get a rash, itchy skin, swelling of face and mouth, or have difficulty in breathing.
• Diarrhea may occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it doesn't stop or if you find blood in your stools.
• Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cephalexin as it may cause increased side effects.
• Cephalexin should be given with caution in patients with renal impairment and dose adjustment may be needed.
• The urine of patients receiving Cephalexin may give a false positive reaction for glucose with copper reduction reagent.

• Hypersensitivity to the cephalosporin group of antibiotics.

Concurrent use with metformin may result in fatal lactic acidosis. May enhance the anticoagulant effect of vit K antagonists (e.g. warfarin). Increased risk of nephrotoxicity with potent diuretics (e.g. ethacrynic acid, furosemide) and other potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics (e.g. aminoglycosides, polymyxin, colistin). Prothrombin time may be prolonged when used concomitantly with oral anticoagulants. May reduce the effects of OCs. Uricosuric drugs (e.g. probenecid) may suppress renal excretion, resulting in increased plasma levels of cephalexin. May diminish the therapeutic effect of Na picosulfate, BCG and typhoid vaccine. May reduce serum level with multivitamins/minerals.

[SAFE] Consuming alcohol with Cephalexin does not cause any harmful side effects.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cephalexin is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies. Pregnancy Category B. May be used during pregnancy when considered essential.

[SAFE IF PRESCRIBED] Cephalexin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby. Cephalexin is found in the milk of nursing mothers, hence caution should be taken. Avoid prolonged use of Cephalexin, since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.

Pediatric dose: 25-100 mg/kg/day (divided doses), maximum 4 g/day. Otitis media: 75-100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections: Continue treatment for at least 10 days.

Limited information is available on dose adjustment for elderly patients.

[CAUTION] Cephalexin should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cephalexin may be needed. Please consult your doctor. CrCl 40-50: Max 3 g/day; CrCl 10-40: Max 1.5 g/day; CrCl <10: Max 750 mg/day.

[CAUTION] Cephalexin should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Cephalexin may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Information on Cephalexin overdosage is not available.

Store in a cool and dry place.

Cephalexin