The antibiotic Cephalexin fights bacteria inside the body. The drug is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Upper respiratory infections, skin and ear infections, urinary tract infections, all are treated using the antibiotic drug Cephalexin.
However, Cephalexin should not be used if a person is allergic to it, or similar type of drugs like Ceftin, Omnicef, Cefzil and others. You need to tell the doctors that you are allergic to drugs, especially the penicillins and antibiotics. These drugs should not be used or should be used under medical supervision if you have liver or kidney disease, intestinal or stomach disorder, diabetes, colitis or if you are malnourished. If your doctor prescribes you Cephalexin then take it. Your symptoms can get better if there is any infection in the body. Cephalexin is a drug for treating bacterial infection and it would not treat a viral infection like the common cold and flu.
How Does Cephalexin Work?
Cephalexin in is an antibiotic and is used to treat a range of infections. The drug belongs to a group of medicines that are known as cephalosporins.
How Effective is Cephalexin?
The Cephalexin drug effectively treats a range of infections like the ones that occur in the respiratory tract, skin, or ear, in the bones or genitourinary area.
- Cephalexin can be taken with food or without food.
- It is recommended to take Cephalexin exactly as directed, for the intended duration.
- The drug should be used as prescribed by a physician. It treats infections caused by bacteria and improper use enhances the chance of developing resistant bacteria.
- Seek advice from a medical practitioner if chronic diarrhea develops while you are taking the drug cephalexin.
The effectiveness and response of Cephalexin is excellent. The peak concentrations with respect to the drug are reached one hour after dosage. However, it takes up to 48 hours before abatement of infection-related symptoms.
- Surveys suggest that about 10% of people, allergic to penicillin show signs of allergy with cephalosporins. If you ever had an allergy to antibiotics then tell your doctor about the same.
- The drug Cephalexin may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea. It may change some laboratory tests. Sometimes seizures are reported with the drug.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Cephalexin?
Adult Dose of Cephalexin for Treating Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis:
2 grams orally as one dose one hour prior to the procedure.
Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Cystitis:
250 mg orally after every 6 hours, you can take 500 mg orally after every 12 hours for a span of 7 to 14 days.
Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Otitis Media:
500 mg orally after every 6 hours for a period of 10 to 14 days
Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Pharyngitis:
250 mg orally after every 6 hours or it can be 500 mg orally after every 12 hours
Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Skin Infection:
250 mg orally after every 6 hours or it can be 500 mg orally after every 12 hours
Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Osteomyelitis:
500 mg orally after every 6 hours
In addition, therapy should be continued for about 4 to 6 weeks. However, that depends on nature as well as the severity of the infection. If the osteomyelitis infection is chronic then you may require an additional one to two months of antibiotic therapy.
Usual Adult Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Prostatitis:
500 mg orally after every 6 hours for about 14 days
Usual Adult Dosage for Pyelonephritis:
500 mg orally after every 6 hours for about 14 days
Usual Adult Dosage for Upper Respiratory-Tract Infection:
250 to 500 mg orally after every 6 hours for about 7 to 10 days
Usual Adult Dosage for Bacterial Infection:
The medicine should be administered orally (about 250 to 500 mg) after every 6 hours
Alongside, therapy should be continued for about 7 to 21 days, and it depends on the severity of the infection.
Usual Pediatric Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Otitis Media:
12.5 to 25 mg/kg drug administered orally after every 6 hours
Usual Pediatric Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Pharyngitis:
Those over a year of age suffering from Streptococcal pharyngitis, for them the dosage is about 12.5 to 25 mg/kg administered orally after every 12 hours
Usual Pediatric Dosage of Cephalexin for Treating Skin Infection:
12.5 to 25 mg/kg of medicine orally administered, after every 12 hours
Usual Pediatric Dosage for those suffering from Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis:
Those who are allergic to penicillin (non-anaphylactoid type), the dosage is 50 mg/kg (maximum 2 g) administered orally one time, an hour before the procedure.
Drugs that Affect Cephalexin?
Other drugs may interfere with cephalexin, and these include medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, and other herbal products. It is important that you tell the health care providers about the medicines you use now and medicines that you have started or have stopped using.
Conclusion
Cephalexin (the drug) is an effective antibiotic which treats a variety of infections. However, it should be used cautiously with people having an allergy to penicillin.
