It is a first generation, cephalosporin antibiotic. It is effective against bacteria involved in upper and lower respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin/bone/joint infections.
cephalexin
This medicine is used in lung infections, ENT (ear-nose-throat) infections, urinary tract infections, skin, bones and soft tissue infections, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and syphilis. This medicine is also used in gynaecological infections (female reproductive system infections), obstetrical (relating to child birth) infections and in different dental procedures.
Contradications
It is contraindicated in diarrhea caused by clostridium difficile infection, large intestine inflammation, chronic kidney disease stage 4 (severe), chronic kidney disease stage 5 (failure) and in kidney disease with reduction in kidney function.
Side effects
This medicine may cause allergy, rash, stomach upset, collitis (inflammation of colon), neutropenia (decrease white blood cells), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare skin disorder) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (skin disease). Please cosult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Expert Advice
- It can be taken with meals (helps reduce abdominal discomfort) or without meals.
- Should be taken at regular intervals as scheduled.
- Its oral suspension, should be shaken well before use and use a calibrated measuring device to confirm accuracy in dose.
- If there is unrelieved diarrhea, unusual bleeding or bruising, change in urine pattern, vaginal itching & mouth sores; contact your prescriber immediately.
- After 2 or more months into the therapy, watery or bloody stools may occur which can be serious and immediate medical help is required.
- Drink sufficient amount of fluids (2 to 3 liters a day) to maintain hydration, unless prescribed otherwise by the doctor.
FAQs
Cephalexin is a strong antibiotic?
How quickly can cephalexin act?
It is an antibiotic that begins by killing the bacteria causing skin infection very quickly. You may not notice its improvement within 2 to 3 days. However, follow all directions of the doctor and complete your dose of cephalexin.
Cephalexin should be taken before or after a meal?
It comes as a capsule, tablet and suspension and taken by mouth. It can be taken usually with or without meal in every 6 to 12 hours for 7 to 14 days.
Which food you shouldn’t have when taking cephalexin?
Foods with acidic content in them like citrus juice, carbonated beverages, chocolate, antacids and tomato-based products (ketchup) can interfere with the absorption of cephalexin.
Which skin infections can cephalexin treat?
It may be effective and highly useful in the treatment of streptococcal and staphylococcal skin infections.
Medicines containing cephalexin
Rs.94.68
Rs.114.09
Rs.114.01
Rs.368
