How Effective is Keflex & What are It’s Side Effects, Dosage?

If you are in any way allergic to keflex or cephalexin or any other antibiotic medicines such as omnicef, cefzil, ceftin then do not have this medicine. You must inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to antibiotics or penicillins. Also you must inform your doctor if you have any intestinal disorder, stomach disorders, liver or kidney disease, diabetes or colitis.

Keflex is also known as cephalexin which is a cephalosporin antibiotic (SEF a low spor in). Keflex or cephalexin helps to fight bacteria.

Keflex or cephalexin is used to treat all infections that is caused by bacteria which also includes ear infections, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections.

Keflex or cephalexin has to be taken for the complete course duration in order to be very effective. Even before the infection is cured completely your symptoms will get much better. Keflex or cephalexin does not treat viral infections like flu or cold.

You should not take keflex or cephalexin if you are allergic to cephalosporin or cephalexin antibiotics like these:

• Cefprozil (Cefzil);
• Cefadroxil (Duricef);
• Cefuroxime (Ceftin);
• Cefaclor (Raniclor);
• Ceftibuten (Cedax);
• Cephradine (Velosef),
• Cefdinir (Omnicef);
• Cefpodoxime (Vantin);
• Cefditoren (Spectracef);
• Cefazolin (Ancef)

You must tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions in order to make keflex or cephalexin safe for you:

• Kidney disease
• Allergy to any medicines (mainly penicillin)
• Intestinal problems like colitis.

If you are planning to become pregnant or pregnant at the time of treatment, you must tell your doctor as it is unknown if keflex or cephalexin could harm unborn baby.
Keflex or cephalexin does pass through breast milk to the baby therefore tell your doctor if you are feeding a child.

Keflex or cephalexin, one dosage of 2 milligrams orally one hour before the procedure

Treatment for Cystitis – Regular Adult Dosage

Keflex or cephalexin for every 12 hours 500 milligrams orally or for every 6 hours 250 milligrams for 1-2 weeks

Treatment for Otitis Media – Regular Adult Dosage

Keflex or cephalexin For 10-14 days – 500 milligrams orally every 6 hours

For every 12 hours 500 milligrams of keflex or cephalexin or for every 6 hours 250 milligrams orally

For every 12 hours 500 milligrams of keflex or cephalexin or for every 6 hours 250 milligrams orally

For every 6 hours – 500 milligrams of keflex or cephalexin orally

This keflex or cephalexin therapy has to be continued for a minimum of four to six weeks which will mainly depend on the severity and condition of the infection. However Chronic osteomyelitis might need an additional of 1-2 month treatment of antibiotic therapy and also there are chances for surgical debridement to be very effective treatment option for the condition.

For 14 days – 500 milligrams of keflex or cephalexin orally every 6 hours

For 14 days – 500 milligrams orally every 6 hours

For 7-10 days – 250 to 500 milligrams of keflex or cephalexin orally every 6 hours

For every six hours 250-500 milligrams orally

This therapy has to be continued for a minimum of four to six weeks which will mainly depend on the severity and condition of the infection.

For every 6 hours – 12.5 to 25 milligrams/kg orally

This is for children above one year old:

For every 12 hours – Streptococcal pharyngitis – 12.5 to 25 milligrams/kg orally

Keflex or cephalexin will treat as an alternative medicine for penicillin allergic patients as it is non-anaphylactoid type. It has to be given one hour before procedure at 50 milligrams/kg (maximum 2g) orally.

There are other medicines that will affect keflex or cephalexin which includes vitamins, over the counter medicines, herbal products and prescribed medicines. Therefore it is important to tell all your doctors about all your conditions, allergies and all the medicines you are taking for treatments.

If you have any allergic reactions such as swelling of lips, throat, face or tongue, difficulty in breathing or hives, get immediate medical assistance.

Get immediate medical assistance if you have any of these severe side effects of keflex or cephalexin:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• Diarrhea (that is bloody or watery), severe stomach pain
• Hallucinations, confusion, agitation
• Unusual bleeding (mouth, nose, rectum, vagina), red or purple pinpoints spots under skin
• Severe skin reactions – burning in eyes, sore throat, fever, purple or red skin rashes that spreads to upper body and face resulting in peeling and blistering, swelling of tongue or face
• Less or no urination.

Other common side effects of keflex or cephalexin are:

• Joint pain, headache
• Feeling tired, dizziness
• Vaginal discharge, itching are the side effects of keflex or cephalexin
• Diarrhea.