Cephalexin Description

Generic Name: CEPHALEXIN

Pronunciation: (sef a lex' in)

Trade Name(s): Alcephin, Alexin, Betaspore, Blucef, Cefalex, Cefalin, Cefax, Ceff, Ceff CF, Ceff Premix, Cepen, Cephalkem, Cephaxin, Citaceph, Hycef, Keflex, Keflex, Mafexin, Melexin, Neocef, Nufex, Oceph, Oriphax, Oroceph, Phexin, PrilocefReflexin, Roceph, Safexin, Sanceph, Sanceph, Sporen, Sporidex, Winphex

Why it is prescribed: Cephalexin, an antibiotic, eliminates bacteria that cause different kinds of infections, including pneumonia and infections of the ear, urinary tract, skin, and bone.

When it is to be taken: Cephalexin is usually taken four times a day, every six hours, for seven to 10 days. If it is not possible to take the drug around the clock, take it at evenly spaced intervals between the time you wake up in the morning and the time you go to bed at night (e.g., at 7 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., and 10 p.m.). Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken:
1. Cephalexin comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and liquid to be taken orally.
2. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.
3. It is better to take cephalexin on an empty stomach. Therefore, try to take it one hour before meals or at least two hours after meals.
4. Tablets and capsules should be taken with a full glass of water.
5. Liquid cephalexin should be shaken well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
6. Liquid doses should be measured with a specially marked dropper or measuring spoon. If you still have symptoms after you finish the cephalexin, contact your doctor.

Special Instruction:
1. Take all of the medication prescribed, even after the infection appears to have gone away. Failure to do so could allow the infection to return.
2. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

Side Effects:
1. Skin rash, shortness of breath, itching, hives. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.
2. Nausea, vomiting. Take cephalexin with a light snack. If you continue to have stomach upsets, contact your doctor.
3. Diarrhea. If it is severe or continues for more than two days, contact your doctor.
4. Unusual bleeding, bruising, painful mouth, throat sores. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions:
1. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin, cephalosporins or any other medication; if you have kidney disease; or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
2. If you are taking medication for gout, such as probenecid, tell your doctor before taking cephalexin.
3. If your doctor tells you to stop taking cephalexin, throw away any unused medication.
4. Cephalexin may lose its effectiveness over time and hold not be saved to treat another infection.
5. Cephalexin may cause false positive results in tests for sugar in the urine.

Storage Conditions:
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store liquid cephalexin in the refrigerator but not in the freezer. The container will have an expiration date on it.
3. Store tablets and capsules at room temperature.