Cephalexin

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (sef a lex' in)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Cephalexin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; and infections of the bone, skin, ears, , genital, and urinary tract. Cephalexin is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

Antibiotics such as cephalexin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.


How should this medicine be used?

Cephalexin comes as a capsule, tablet, and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 6 or 12 hours for 7 to 14 days, depending on the condition being treated. Take cephalexin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cephalexin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cephalexin. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take cephalexin until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop taking cephalexin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking cephalexin,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cephalexin; other cephalosporin antibiotic such as cefaclor, cefadroxil cefazolin (Ancef, Kefzol), cefdinir, cefditoren (Spectracef), cefepime (Maxipime), cefixime (Suprax), cefotaxime (Claforan), cefotetan, cefoxitin (Mefoxin), cefpodoxime, cefprozil, ceftaroline (Teflaro), ceftazidime (Fortaz, Tazicef, in Avycaz), ceftibuten (Cedax), ceftriaxone (Rocephin), and cefuroxime (Zinacef); penicillin antibiotics; or any other medications. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in cephalexin capsules, tablets, or suspension.Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet, in Glucovance, Invokamet, others); and probenecid (Probalan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any kind of allergies, gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines), especially colitis (condition that causes swelling in the lining of the colon
    • large intestine
    ), or kidney or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking cephalexin, call your doctor.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Cephalexin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • heartburn
  • stomach pain
  • rectal or genital itching
  • dizziness
  • extreme tiredness
  • agitation
  • confusion
  • headache
  • joint pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
  • watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • wheezing
  • a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
  • hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules and tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and dispose of any unused medication after 14 days. .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.


Drug Category/Class

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • Antibacterials for Systemic Use
  • Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
  • Antibacterials for Intramammary Use
  • First-Generation Cephalosporins
  • CYP2D6 Inducers
  • CYP2D6 Inducers (strong)
  • CYP3A4 Inhibitors
  • First-generation cephalosporins
Prescribed For the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes; otitis media due to ...
Weight :347.389
Structure Cephalexin
Generic Drug Cephalexin prescribed For the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> and <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i>; otitis media due to ...
Formula

C16H17N3O4S

Cephalexin has 548 Brands listed


Acelexin (250 mg)Acelexin (500 mg)
Actilex 500Actilex DT
Alaxin DT (250 mg)Alexin (250 mg)
Alexin (40 ml)Alexin (500 mg)
Alexin DT (125 mg)Alfexin (250 mg)
Alfexin (500 mg)Alfexin DT (125 mg)
Allsafe (250 mg)Allsafe (500 mg)
Amcef Caps (250 mg)Amicef (250 mg)
Amicef DT (125 mg)Anacef (250 mg)
Anacef (500 mg)Anaspore (500 mg)
Anncy (30 ml)Aphex (500 mg)
Apkef (250 mg)Apkef (500 mg)
Apkef DS (30 ml)Apkef DT (125 mg)
Arlex (250 mg)Arlex (500 mg)
Avixin (250 mg)Avixin Kid (125 mg)
Axin (250 mg)Axin (500 mg)
Axin LA (375 mg)Axin LA (750 mg)
Bactiflex (250 mg)Bactiflex Kid (125 mg)
Bactocep (250 mg)Bactocep (500 mg)
Bactocep DT (125 mg)Bectacef (250 mg)
Bectacef (30 ml)Bectacef (500 mg)
Bectacef DT (125 mg)Betacef DT (250 mg)
Betaspore (250 mg)Betaspore (30 ml)
Betaspore (500 mg)Bfaxin DT (500 mg)
Biolex (500 mg)Biolex DT (250 mg)
Blucef (125 mg)Blucef (30 ml)
Blucef (500 mg)Blucef (60 ml)
Blucef DT (125 mg)Blucef DT (250 mg)
Broxin (10 ml)Broxin (250 mg)
Broxin (30 ml)Broxin (500 mg)
Broxin Kid (125 mg)Brulex (250 mg)
C D Phex (500 mg)C Lax (500 mg)
CD Phex (250 mg)Cef SV (500 mg)
CEF-SV cap (500 mg)Cefacin (30 ml)
Cefacin (500 mg)Cefacin DT (250 mg)
Cefact cap (250 mg)Cefact-Kid (125 mg)
Cefact-Kid Forte (250 mg)Cefacure (500 mg)
Cefacure cap (250 mg)Cefacure DT (125 mg)
Cefacure DT (250 mg)Cefadyl (250 mg)
Cefadyl (500 mg)Cefalex (250 mg)
Cefalex (40 ml)Cefalex (500 mg)
Cefalin (500 mg)Cefamax (250 mg)
Cefamax (60 ml)Cefamax-KT (125 mg)
Cefanor (250 mg)Cefanor-DT (250 mg)
Cefanor-Kid (125 mg)Cefatab (250 mg)
Cefataur (125 mg) (cephalexin)Cefataur (250 mg) (cephalexin)
Cefataur (30 ml) (cephalexin)Cefataur (500 mg) (cephalexin)
Cefax (250 mg)Cefax (500 mg)
Cefbact (250 mg)Cefbact (500 mg)
Cefcidal (125 mg)Cefcidal (250 mg)
Cefcidal (500 mg)Cefcidal Syrup (30 ml)
Cefdal (250 mg)Cefdal (500 mg)
Cefdal-DT (125 mg)Cefel (250 mg)
Cefel-Kid (125 mg)Ceff (250 mg)
Ceff (30 ml)Ceff (500 mg)
Ceff CF (250 mg)Ceff CF (500 mg)
Ceff DT (250 mg)Ceff ER (750 mg)
Ceff Kid (125 mg)Ceff Premix (30 ml)
Ceflacin (250 mg)Ceflan (250 mg)
Ceflan-Kid (125 mg)Ceflar (500 mg)
Ceflar 250Cefmet (250 mg)
Cefmet (500 mg)Cefrik (250 mg)
Cefrik (500 mg)Cefrik DT (250 mg)
Cefron (250 mg)Cefron (30 ml)
Cefron (500 mg)Ceftil (125 mg) (Versatil)
Ceftil (250 mg) (versatil)Ceftil 500 (Versatil)
Ceftil Tab (250 mg)Ceftop (250 mg)
Ceftop (30 ml)Ceftop (500 mg)
Cefup (250 mg)Cefup-DT (250 mg)
Celexin (250 mg)Celexin (500 mg)
Celexin Dry (30 ml)Celexin-Kid (125 mg)
Celox (500 mg)Celox-Kid (125 mg)
Cemo (250 mg)Cepac (250 mg)
Cepen (250 mg)Cepen (30 ml)
Cepen (500 mg)Cepen cap (250 mg)
Cepen-Kid (125 mg)Cephacal (250 mg)
Cephacal (500 mg)Cephacal Dry (30 ml)
Cephacal-Kid (125 mg)Cephadex (250 mg)
Cephadex (30 ml)Cephadex (500 mg)
Cephadex-DT (125 mg)Cephadex-LA (375 mg)
Cephadex-LA (750 mg)Cephagold (250 mg)
Cephagold (500 mg)Cephal (250 mg)
Cephal Kid (125 mg)Cephalexin (250 mg)
Cephalexin (250 mg) (acichem)Cephalexin (250 mg) (low cost standard)
Cephalexin (250 mg) (modern)Cephalexin (500 mg) (low cost standard)
Cephalexin (500 mg) (The Pharmed)Cephalexin 125 mg DT (Jan Aushadhi)
Cephalexin 250 mg (Jan Aushadhi)Cephalexin 500 mg (Jan Aushadhi)
Cephalexin Dry (30 ml)Cephalexin-oral (5 ml)
Cephalid (250 mg)Cephalid (500 mg)
Cephalin (250 mg)Cephalin (500 mg)
Cephalin Dry (40 ml)Cephalite (250 mg)
Cephalite (500 mg)Cephalite-Kid (125 mg)
Cephalkem (10 ml)Cephalkem (250 mg)
Cephalkem (500 mg)Cephalkem DS (30 ml)
Cephalpet (250 mg)Cephalpet (500 mg)
Cephapol (250 mg)Cephapol (30 ml)
Cephapol (500 mg)Cepharil (125 mg)
Cepharil (250 mg)Cepharil (500 mg)
Cepharil DT (250 mg)Cepharon (250 mg)
Cepharon (500 mg)Cepharon-DT (250 mg)
Cephasun (250 mg)Cephasun (30 ml)
Cephasun (500 mg)Cephasun Kid (125 mg)
Cephasun tab (250 mg)Cephatos (250 mg)
Cephavin (500 mg)Cephaxain (250 mg)
Cephaxain (500 mg)Cephaxain Cap (250 mg)
Cephaxain DT (125 mg)Cephaxin (125 mg)
Cephaxin (250 mg)Cephaxin (30 ml)
Cephaxin (500 mg)Cephaxin-DT (250 mg)
Cephaxin-Kid (125 mg)Cephemarc (250 mg)
Cephemarc (30 ml)Cephemarc (500 mg)
Cephex (500 mg)Cephin (250 mg)
Cephin (30 ml)Cephin (500 mg)
Cephin-Kid (125 mg)Cephlenat (10 ml)
Cephlenat (250 mg)Cephlenat (30 ml)
Cephlenat (500 mg)Cephlenat DS (30 ml)
Cephola (250 mg)Cephola (500 mg)
Cephola Kid (125 mg)Cephty (30 ml)
Cephty-DT (250 mg)Cephy (250 mg)
Cephy-DT (125 mg)Cepoxin (250 mg)
Cepoxin (500 mg)Cepoxin DT (250 mg)
Cepoxin Kid (125 mg)Cetec (125 mg)
Cexin (250 mg)Cexin (30 ml)
Cexin (500 mg)Cexin DT (125 mg)
Cexin DT (250 mg)Cexus (250 mg)
Cexus (500 mg)Cexus-Kid (125 mg)
Cfex (250 mg)Cfex (500 mg)
Cidexin (250 mg)Cidexin (500 mg)
Ciphlenat (125 mg)Ciphlenat (250 mg)
Ciphlenat (500 mg)Citaceph (125 mg)
Citaceph (250 mg)Citaceph (500 mg)
Crocef (250 mg)Crocef (500 mg)
Crocef kid (125 mg)Culexin (500 mg)
Dexin (250 mg)Dexin (30 ml)
Dexin (500 mg)Dexin Kid (125 mg)
Dixin (30 ml)Dixin (500 mg)
Dorflexin (250 mg)DT LX Kid (125 mg)
Ecef OD (500 mg)Edexin (30 ml)
Efaxin (125 mg)Eliceph (250 mg)
Eliceph (500 mg)Eliceph Kid (125 mg)
Emceph (250 mg)Emceph (500 mg)
Ephexin DT (250 mg)Ephexin KT (125 mg)
Equitrol (250 mg)Equitrol DT (125 mg)
Equitrol Forte (500 mg)Exef (250 mg)
Exef (500 mg)Exef Kid (125 mg)
Fex (375 mg)Fex (50 ml)
Fex (750 mg)Fex Dry (50 ml)
Gexin (30 ml)Gexin (500 mg)
Gexin DT (125 mg)Gexin DT (250 mg)
Glexin (250 mg)Glexin (500 mg)
Graceph Kid (125 mg)H Cef (250 mg)
H Cef (500 mg)Halexin (30 ml)
Halexin DT (250 mg)Hycef (125 mg)
Hycef (250 mg)Hycef (500 mg)
Hyfexin (500 mg)Hyfexin DT (250 mg)
Hyfexin Kid (125 mg)Iocep (125 mg)
Iocep (500 mg)Jexin DT (125 mg)
Jexin DT (250 mg)Kaphexin (250 mg)
Kaphexin (500 mg)Keflex (125 mg)
Keflex (250 mg)Keflex (250 mg) (Embiotic)
Keflex (500 mg)Keflex (500 mg)
Keflex BD (375 mg)Keflex BD (750 mg)
Keflex KT (125 mg)Keflex Syr (250 mg)
Klokxin (30 ml)Klokxin (500 mg)
Lamiceph (250 mg)Lamiceph (30 ml)
Lamiceph (500 mg)Lamiceph Cap (250 mg)
Lamiceph DT (125 mg)Lecef (250 mg)
Lecef (30 ml)Lecef (500 mg)
Lecef DT (250 mg)Lexillin (250 mg)
Lexillin (500 mg)Leximan (30 ml)
Leximan (500 mg)Leximan DT (250 mg)
Lexin (500 mg)Lexin DT (250 mg)
LX (125 mg)LX (250 mg)
LX (500 mg) (Apex Labs)LX Kid (125 mg)
Lycef (250 mg)Lycef (500 mg)
Lycef Kid (125 mg)Magnacef Cap (250 mg)
Maitriceph Dry (30 ml)Medicef (250 mg) (BRD)
Medicef (500 mg) (BRD)Melexin (250 mg)
Melexin (500 mg)Melexin KT (125 mg)
Mepycep (500 mg)Mepycep DT (250 mg)
Mexef (250 mg)Mexef (30 ml)
Mexef (500 mg)Monacef (250 mg)
Monacef (30 ml)Monacef (500 mg)
Monaxin (500 mg)Mozy (30 ml)
Mozy Forte (125 mg)Neocef (250 mg)
Neocef (500 mg)Nix (30 ml)
Nix KT (125 mg)Nufex (500 mg)
Nufex Dry (125 mg)Nufex Dry (250 mg)
Nufex Kid (125 mg)Ocef (30 ml) (Oyster Labs)
Oceph (250 mg)Oceph (500 mg)
Okacef (500 mg)Okaceph (250 mg)
Okaceph (30 ml)Oralexin (30 ml)
Oralexin Kid (125 mg)Oralexine (250 mg)
Oralexine (500 mg)Oriceph (30 ml)
Orilex (250 mg)Orilex (500 mg)
Oriphex (125 mg)Oriphex (250 mg)
Oriphex (500 mg)Oriphex (60 ml)
Orlex DT (125 mg)Oroceph (250 mg)
Oroceph (30 ml)Oroceph (500 mg)
Oroceph (60 ml)Oroceph Kid (125 mg)
Orticepth (250 mg)Osophex (250 mg)
Osophex (500 mg)Osophex Kid (125 mg)
Oycef (250 mg)Oycef (30 ml)
Oycef (500 mg)Oycet (500 mg)
Pencef (500 mg)Perlex (125 mg)
Perlex (250 mg)Perlex (30 ml)
Perlex (500 mg)Perlex DT (250 mg)
Phexin (10 ml)Phexin (15 ml)
Phexin (250 mg)Phexin (375 mg)
Phexin (500 mg)Phexin (750 mg)
Phexin BD (375 mg)Phexin BD (750 mg)
Phexin DS (30 ml)Phexin DT (250 mg)
Phexin Kid (125 mg)Phexirom (250 mg)
Phexirom (500 mg)Phexirom DT (250 mg)
Phexirom Kid (125 mg)Piflexin (250 mg)
Piflexin (30 ml)Piflexin (500 mg)
Piflexin DT (125 mg)Premspor (250 mg)
Premspor DS (40 ml)Prilocef (250 mg)
Prilocef (500 mg)Prilocef P (125 mg)
R Cef (125 mg)R Cef (250 mg)
R Cef (500 mg)Racef (250 mg)
Racef (500 mg)Reflexin (250 mg)
Reflexin (30 ml)Reflexin (500 mg)
Reflexin DT (125 mg)Resporal (500 mg)
Resporal DT (125 mg)Resporal DT (250 mg)
Rofex (250 mg)Rofex (500 mg)
Rofex (60 ml)Rofex DS (30 ml)
Rofex Kid (125 mg)Rofex Kid (250 mg)
S Cef (250 mg)S Cef (500 mg)
S Cef DT (125 mg)Safexin (250 mg)
Safexin (40 ml)Safexin (500 mg)
Safexin DT (125 mg)Sancef 500
Sanceff (250 mg)Sanceph (250 mg)
Sanceph KT (125 mg)Sayolexin (500 mg)
Sayolexin DT (250 mg)Seafax (250 mg)
Seafax (500 mg)Seafax Dry (40 ml)
Sefalox (500 mg)Sefdix (500 mg)
Sefspor (250 mg)Sepexin (250 mg)
Sepexin (30 ml)Sepexin (500 mg)
Sepexin DT (250 mg)Sepexin Kid (125 mg)
Sephen (250 mg)Sephen (500 mg)
Sephen C (250 mg)Sephen Kid (125 mg)
Shalex (250 mg)Shalex Kid (125 mg)
Silphex (500 mg)Silphex Kid (125 mg)
Spocelin (250 mg)Spocelin Forte (500 mg)
Spor (250 mg)Spor (500 mg)
Spor DT (250 mg)Sporen (125 mg)
Sporen (250 mg)Sporen (500 mg)
Sporidex (250 mg)Sporidex (500 mg)
Sporidex AF (375 mg)Sporidex AF (750 mg)
Sporidex DS (125mg)Sporidex DS (250mg)
Sporidex DT (125 mg)Sporidex DT (250 mg)
Sporidex Paed (10 ml)Sporidex Redimix (10 ml)
Sporidex Redimix (125 mg)Sporidex Redimix (250 mg)
Sporidex Softgels (250 mg)Sporolin (250 mg)
Sporolin (30 ml)Sporolin (500 mg)
Sporolin DT (125 mg)Sportek (500 mg)
Sportek DS (30 ml)Sportek DT (125 mg)
Sportek DT (250 mg)Suzicef (250 mg)
Suzicef (500 mg)Suzicef Kid (125 mg)
Swicexin (250 mg)Threeocef (333 mg)
Trexin Forte (500 mg)Trexwin (30 ml)
Trexwin Forte (500 mg)Tynicef (250 mg)
Ubxin DT (250 mg)Unicef DT (125 mg)
Uniceph (30 ml)Uniceph DT (125 mg)
Uniceph DT (250 mg)Unifex Junior (250 mg)
Unifex Kid (125 mg)Uteron C (100 ml)
Veceef (125 mg)Veceff (125 mg)
Welex (250 mg)Xin (250 mg)
Xincep LA (250 mg)Xincep LA (500 mg)
Yescef (500 mg)Zecef (250 mg)
Zecef (500 mg)Zeecef (250 mg)
Zeecef (500 mg)Zincef (250 mg)
Zincef (500 mg)Zosep DT (250 mg)
Zotalexin (500 mg)Zotalexin DT (250 mg)

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