Cefalexin
Description
Cefalexin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of your body including skin, bone, ears, throat, lungs and urinary tract. This medicine kills or stops the growth of bacteria that is causing the infection. Cefalexin is not effective against infections caused by viruses. This medicine is available on prescription as a capsule, tablet, oral drops, powder for suspension and syrup.
Cefalexin shows common side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. These are generally mild; however, inform your doctor if the side effects become severe or persist for a long time.
Cefalexin can be taken with or without food, as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medicine at around the same time every day for the ease of remembering. The dose will vary depending on the condition you are being treated for. Do not stop the medicine, make sure to complete the entire course of treatment even if you feel better. If you stop the antibiotic early, some bacteria may survive and become resistant leading to recurrence of infection.
Cefalexin is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it or penicillin antibiotics. If you have kidney, liver, or heart problems, you should consult your doctor before taking Cefalexin. Inform your doctor about all the other medications you are taking, as there are chances that any of these medicines may interact with Cefalexin and cause adverse effects. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor before using this medication.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cefalexin
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Dark or clay coloured stools
- Headache
- Itching or rash
- Joint pain
- Dark urine
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Indigestion
- Blood in urine
Uses of Cefalexin
What is it prescribed for?
- Acute bacterial otitis media
- Tonsilitis/Pharyngitis
- Cystitis
- Acute bacterial Sinusitis
- Osteomyelitis
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Prostatitis
- Pyelonephritis
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Cefalexin is very quick and can be observed within an hour of oral administration. This time may vary depending on the dose form. However, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms within 48 hours of taking this medicine.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Cefalexin lasts for around 2 days in your body.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Cefalexin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Although Cefalexin is considered to be safe to use during pregnancy as it does not cause any harm to the foetus. You should always consult your doctor before taking it.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Cefalexin enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence, you should only take it after consulting a doctor. If you are taking Cefalexin, you should observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and stomach infection.
Allergy
Avoid taking Cefalexin if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Acute Porphyria
Cefalexin is contraindicated in acute porphyria. It is a disorder caused by the accumulation of certain chemicals associated with red blood cell proteins. It affects your skin and nervous system.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Although Cefalexin is considered to be safe to use during pregnancy as it does not cause any harm to the foetus. You should always consult your doctor before taking it.
Breast-feeding
Cefalexin enters into breast milk at low levels. Hence, you should only take it after consulting a doctor. If you are taking Cefalexin, you should observe your baby for symptoms such as diarrhoea and stomach infection.
General warnings
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change their response to the use of medicines and become resistant. This occurs due to the long term use of antibiotics. Consult your doctor if you feel unwell even after completing your Cefalexin course.
Impaired liver function
Cefalexin may increase liver enzyme levels and cause liver swelling. If you have pre-existing liver problems, use this medication with caution since it may worsen your condition and cause further liver damage.
Diarrhoea
Cefalexin can cause diarrhoea because it might destroy helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine. If you have severe diarrhoea that is watery or bloody, get emergency medical attention. Call your pharmacist/doctor before taking anti-diarrhoeal medication.
Driving or operating machinery
Cefalexin may cause dizziness and drowsiness. This can affect your ability to perform tasks that require high mental alertness. Hence it is advised to avoid activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines while taking this medicine.
Multivitamins with minerals
Cefalexin and multivitamins that contain minerals should not be taken orally at the same time. Zinc containing products may interfere with the absorption of Cefalexin into your body which may reduce its effectiveness. After taking Cefalexin, you should take a multivitamin with minerals at least after three hours.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Cefalexin, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at one time to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Cefalexin, go to the emergency department of your local hospital.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cholera Vaccine
Furosemide
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Colitis
Cefalexin can kill the helpful bacteria in your stomach or intestine and may lead to diarrhoea. Therefore, this medicine should be used with extreme caution if you have gastrointestinal (disorders of the digestive system) diseases, particularly colitis (swelling in the lining of the colon, the large intestine), as it may worsen your condition.
Seizure disorders
A seizure disorder (sudden electrical disturbance in your brain leading to the involuntary jerking of the body) occurs due to a disturbance of the nerve cell activity in the brain. Cefalexin should be used with caution if you have this condition as this medicine may trigger seizures. You should keep taking your seizure medications. Cefalexin dosage adjustments may be required.
Impaired kidney function
Cefalexin is filtered by the kidney and moved out of your body through urine. Take Cefalexin with caution if you have a kidney problem. This medicine may lead to kidney damage and can worsen your condition. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Cefalexin with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at around the same time daily. Do not share your medicine with other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Diarrhoea may occur as a side effect of Cefalexin, but it should subside once your treatment is finished. If it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools, contact your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Cefalexin works by preventing the formation of the bacterial cell wall. This stops the growth and multiplication of the bacteria, eventually killing them.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
First generation Cephalosporins, Antibiotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CEPHALEXIN capsuleCEPHALEXIN powder, for suspension. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Cephalexin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Cefalexin 125mg / 5ml Suspension - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Cephalexin. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 11 February 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.