$Unique_ID{BRK03071} $Pretitle{} $Title{cephalexin} $Subject{Keflet Dista Keflex Keftab Cephalosporin antibiotic cephalexin bones middle ear prostate skin upper lower respiratory tract urinary injuring cell walls bacteria} $Volume{} $Log{ Keflex 250 mg*0307101.scf Keflex 500 mg*0307102.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. cephalexin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) cephalexin monohydrate (various manufacturers) Keflet (Dista) Keflex (Dista) Keftab (Dista) TYPE OF DRUG Cephalosporin antibiotic INGREDIENT cephalexin DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (250 mg, 500 mg, and 1 g) Capsules (250 mg and 500 mg) Oral suspension (125 mg and 250 mg per 5-ml spoonful) Pediatric oral suspension (100 mg per ml) STORAGE Cephalexin tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. The oral suspension forms of this drug should be stored in the refrigerator in tightly closed containers. Any unused portion of the oral suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its potency after that time. This medication should never be frozen. USES This medication is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including those of the bones, middle ear, prostate, skin, upper and lower respiratory tract, and urinary tract. This drug acts by severely injuring the cell walls of the infecting bacteria, thereby preventing them from growing and multiplying. Cephalexin kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses, parasites, or fungi. TREATMENT You can take cephalexin either on an empty stomach or, to avoid stomach upset, with food or milk. The contents of the suspension form of cephalexin tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container well to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon or with the dropper provided. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. Cephalosporin antibiotics work best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take your doses of this medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. For example, if you are to take four doses of the medication a day, the doses should be spaced six hours apart. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose immediately. However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose halfway through the regular interval between doses; then return to your regular schedule. Do not skip any doses. It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor (usually seven to 14 days), even if the symptoms disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking this drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, fever, itching, joint pain, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, severe diarrhea (which can be watery, or contain pus or blood), sore mouth, stomach cramps, tingling in the hands or feet, or unusual bleeding or bruising. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor. INTERACTIONS Cephalexin interacts with several other types of drugs: 1. Probenecid can increase the blood concentrations of this medication. 2. The side effects, especially effects on the kidneys, of furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, colistin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, and aminoglycoside antibiotics can be increased by cephalexin. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medication, especially to cephalexin or other cephalosporin antibiotics (such as cefamandole, cephradine, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefazolin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, cephalothin, cephapirin, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, and moxalactam) or to penicillin antibiotics. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney disease. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medication to other people or use it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so. * Diabetics taking cephalexin should know that this drug can cause a false-positive sugar reaction with a Clinitest urine glucose test. To avoid this problem while taking cephalexin, you should switch to Clinistix or Tes-Tape to test your urine for sugar. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although the cephalosporin antibiotics appear to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been conducted and cautious use is warranted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this medication pass into breast milk and may temporarily alter the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in diarrhea. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.