What is Cephalexin?
Cephalexin Antibiotic. This antibiotic works by fighting the bacteria within your body. Cephalexin treats infections that are caused by bacteria. This includes upper respiratory infections, skin infections (including ear infections), urinary system infections, and bone infections. Cephalexin can be used for treating infections in children and adults over the age of 1 year.
Warnings
This medicine should not be used if you have an allergy to cephalexin or similar anti-biotics such as Cettin, Cerfzil, Omnicef, and other drugs. You should tell your doctor about any allergies you may have, including penicillins and other antibiotics.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to cephalexin or any other cephalosporin antibacterials, such as
- Cefaclor (Ceclor, Raniclor);
- Cefadroxil, also known as Duricef (Duricef), is a drug that has been approved by the FDA.
- Cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol);
- Cefdinir (Omnicef);
- Cefditoren (Spectracef);
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin);
- Cefprozil (Cefzil);
- Ceftibuten (Cedax);
- Cefuroxime, ceftin, and other compounds
Tell your doctor about any previous infections you may have had.
- An allergy to penicillin (especially)
- Liver or kidney disease
- Colitis is one of the most common intestinal disorders.
Cephalexin should not harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor that you're pregnant. Cephalexin may pass through breast milk. You should tell your doctor that you're breastfeeding a child. Cephalexin warnings for pregnancy and nursing (more details)
Similar/related drugs
Prednisone, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, Metronidazole, and Clindamycin
How to take cephalexin?
Keep to the directions listed on your prescription label, read all medication guides or instruction sheets and follow their directions precisely. Read all the instructions on the prescription label. Cephalexin should not be used to treat conditions that have not been examined by your physician. Measuring liquid medication is important. Dosing devices are available, but not spoons. Cephalexin should be taken for the entire prescribed time period, even if symptoms improve quickly. You can get an infection resistant to the medication if you skip doses. This medication will not cure a virus, such as the flu or common cold. Cephalexin should not be shared with anyone else, even if the other person has similar symptoms. Inform your physician of what medicine you are using. Inform any doctors who treat you about the use of this medication. Keep the tablet and capsule away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep the liquid medicines in the fridge. After 14 days, throw away all unused liquids.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. With an overdose, you may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhoea, and even blood in the urine.
What should be avoided?
It is possible that antibiotics can lead to diarrhea. This could be an indication of a fresh infection. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhoea that's watery or bleeding.
Side effects of Cephalexin
If you experience symptoms of an allergy to cephalexin, such as hives or difficulty breathing or swelling on your face, throat, or other parts of the body, or severe reactions in the skin (fever or sore throat with burning, pain or blisters, or a red, purple, or black skin rash), then seek emergency medical attention.
If you experience:
- Severe stomach pain or diarrhoea (even months after the last dose);
- Feeling lightheaded, tired, or unwell is not normal.
- Easy bruising or bleeding; purple or red patches under the skin
- A seizure;
- Cold hands and cold feet, pale skin;
- Yellowed skin and dark urine
- Fever, weakness,
- Pain in the side, lower back, or urination
Cephalexin can cause a variety of side effects.
- Diarrhoea;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Indigestion, stomach pain,
- Vaginal itching and discharge
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking, including:
- Metformin
- Probenecid.
The list below is not exhaustive. Cephalexin may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.
