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0307
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03071.txt
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1994-01-17
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$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.
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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.