Sold under the prescription brand names of Keflex, Biocef, Zartan, and Panixine, cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic for ear infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and upper respiratory infections. It can also be used for other conditions that your doctor may prescribe it to treat.
Cephalexin Dosages
These are general guidelines only, your doctor may prescribe the drug differently than stated.
- Adults for the condition cystitis, 7-day to 14-day course, 250 milligrams every six hours, or 500 milligrams every 12 hours
- Adults for the condition otitis media, 10-day to 14-day course, 500 milligrams every six hours
- Pediatric for the condition otitis media, 12.5 milligrams/kg to 25 milligrams/kg every six hours
- Adults for the conditions of pharyngitis or skin Infection, 250 milligrams every six hours, or 500 milligrams every 12 hours
- Pediatric for the conditions of pharyngitis or skin infection, 12.5 milligrams/kg to 25 milligrams/kg every 12 hours
- Adults for the conditions of prostatitis or pyelonephritis, 14-day course, 500 milligrams every six hours
- Adults for the condition of an upper respiratory tract infection, 7-day to 10-day course, 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams every six hours
- Adults for the condition of a bacterial infection, 7-day to 21-day course, 250 milligrams to 500 milligrams every six hours.
Cephalexin Side Effects
Some less serious side effects may occur with the medication. These include vaginal itching or discharge, joint pain, dizziness, tired feeling, diarrhea, vomiting, and mild nausea.
Serious Cephalexin Side Effects
Some serious side effects are a possibility with cephalexin as it is with any medication. These include life-threatening allergic reaction, extreme diarrhea, seizures, fever, peeling or blistering skin, dark urine, confusion, pale or yellow skin, hallucinations, agitation, easy bruises or bleeding, and urinating less than normal or none at all.
Conditions that May Alter Cephalexin
If you have any of these conditions, your dose may be changed or you may be put on a different medication. These conditions include liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, malnutrition, and a stomach or intestinal disorder. If you have diabetes, it may alter the blood sugar.
Anytime you are given a new medication, always ask if it will interfere with the prescriptions, herbal remedies, supplements, vitamins, minerals, and other over-the-counter items that you are currently taking. If you have a history of medicinal allergies, ask if it contains anything hat you have a known allergy to. The best defense to side effects, complications, and allergic reactions is to be proactive.
Source
Drugs.com
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
