Keflex®
Cephalexin · oral capsule
Antibiotic
Approved uses
Skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria
250 mg every 6 hours, or 500 mg every 12 hours, in adults and patients aged 15 and over
The row an optometrist reaches for; the dose is the same whether the skin in question is on an arm or a lid
Respiratory tract infection, otitis media, bone infection and genitourinary tract infection
250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours in adults; 75 to 100 mg/kg daily in divided doses for otitis media in children over 1 year
Contraindications
Patients with known hypersensitivity to cephalexin or other members of the cephalosporin class of antibacterial drugs.
Available FormsCephalexin capsules 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg, and oral suspension.
Mechanism of Actionß-lactam antibiotic - inhibits synthesis of bacterial cell wall
Warnings & Precautions
- Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity reactions have been reported; before starting, ask carefully about previous reactions to cephalosporins, penicillins and other beta-lactams.
- Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea, ranging to fatal colitis, has been reported and may occur more than two months after therapy.
- Seizures have been reported at high doses in renal impairment; adjust the dose for renal function.
- Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.
Common Side Effects
Most common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain.
Pregnancy & LactationPregnancy: Available data over decades of use have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects.
Lactation: Cephalexin is present in human milk; consider the mother's clinical need alongside any potential effect on the infant.
Pediatric Use≥1 year