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Cephalexin Generic Name & Formulations
Legal Class
Rx
General Description
Cephalexin 250mg, 500mg, 750mg; caps.
Pharmacological Class
Cephalosporin.
How Supplied
Contact supplier
Manufacturer
Cephalexin Indications
Indications
Susceptible infections including otitis media, skin and skin structure, bone, respiratory or genitourinary tract.
Cephalexin Dosage and Administration
Adult
≥15yrs: usually 250mg every 6hrs; may give 500mg every 12hrs. Treat for 7–14 days. Severe infections: up to 4g/day in 2–4 equally divided doses. Renal impairment (CrCl 30–59mL/min): max 1g/day; (CrCl 15–29mL/min): 250mg every 8hrs or 12hrs; (CrCl 5–14mL/min, no dialysis): 250mg every 24hrs; (CrCl 1–4mL/min, no dialysis): 250mg every 48hrs or 60hrs.
Children
Give in equally divided doses. >1yr: 25–50mg/kg/day. Treat for 7–14 days. β-hemolytic strep: treat for ≥10 days. Severe infections: 50–100mg/kg/day. Otitis media: 75–100mg/kg/day.
Cephalexin Contraindications
Not Applicable
Cephalexin Boxed Warnings
Not Applicable
Cephalexin Warnings/Precautions
Warnings/Precautions
Penicillin or other allergy. Risk of seizures (esp. in renal impairment); discontinue if occurs. Poor nutritional state. Renal impairment (CrCl <30mL/min, with or without dialysis): monitor. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.
Cephalexin Pharmacokinetics
See Literature
Cephalexin Interactions
Interactions
Concomitant probenecid: not recommended. Potentiates metformin (monitor and adjust metformin dose). May cause false (+) glucose test with Benedict's or Fehling's soln.
Cephalexin Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions
GI upset, abdominal pain; hypersensitivity reactions (discontinue if occur), C. difficile-associated diarrhea, hemolytic anemia. positive Coombs' test, prolonged prothrombin time (monitor).
Cephalexin Clinical Trials
See Literature
Cephalexin Note
Notes
Formerly known under the brand name Keflex.
Cephalexin Patient Counseling
See Literature
