Pronunciation: SEF-a-LEX-in
Generic Name: Cephalexin
Brand Name: Keflex
Cephalexin Capsules is used for:
Treating certain bacterial infections.
Cephalexin Capsules is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation. This weakens the cell wall, causing it to rupture, and kills the bacteria.
Do NOT use Cephalexin Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Cephalexin Capsules or to any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cefuroxime)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Cephalexin Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Cephalexin Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substance
- if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)
- if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, or poor nutrition
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cephalexin Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Metformin because its actions and the risks of its side effects may be increased by Cephalexin Capsules
- Probenecid because it may increase the actions and the risk of Cephalexin Capsules's side effects
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side effects, such as bleeding, may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cephalexin Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Cephalexin Capsules:
Use Cephalexin Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Cephalexin Capsules by mouth with or without food.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Cephalexin Capsules for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Cephalexin Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cephalexin Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Cephalexin Capsules may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cephalexin Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Cephalexin Capsules may decrease the ability of your blood to clot. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
- Be sure to use Cephalexin Capsules for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
- Cephalexin Capsules only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Long-term or repeated use of Cephalexin Capsules may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
- Diabetes patients - Cephalexin Capsules may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Cephalexin Capsules may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Cephalexin Capsules.
- Use Cephalexin Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Use Cephalexin Capsules with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cephalexin Capsules while you are pregnant. Cephalexin Capsules is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Cephalexin Capsules, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Cephalexin Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; joint pain; stomach pain; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; confusion; dark urine; decreased urination; fever; hallucinations; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or bloody diarrhea; severe stomach pain or cramps; severe tiredness; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual vaginal pain, odor, or discharge; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Cephalexin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blood in the urine; muscle spasm; nausea; seizures; severe diarrhea; vomiting.
Proper storage of Cephalexin Capsules:
Store Cephalexin Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Cephalexin Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Cephalexin Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Cephalexin Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cephalexin Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Cephalexin resources
- Cephalexin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cephalexin Dosage
- Cephalexin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Cephalexin Drug Interactions
- Cephalexin Support Group
- 57 Reviews for Cephalexin - Add your own review/rating
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