Description

Cephalexin is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in infections of the lungs, ears, throat, urinary tract, skin, soft tissues, bones, and joints. It kills bacteria, which helps to improve your symptoms and cure the infection.

Cephalexin may be taken with or without food. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you to remember to take it. The dose will depend on what you are being treated for, but you should always complete a full course of this antibiotic as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it until you have finished, even when you feel better. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive and the infection may come back. It will not work for viral infections such as flu or the common cold. Using any antibiotic when you do not need it can make it less effective for future infections.

The most common side effects of this medicine include rash, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea. These are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days.

Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics or have any kidney or liver problems. You should also let your doctor know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.

USES OF CEPHALEXIN

Bacterial infections

Bacterial infections are caused by bacteria, a kind of microorganisms that are made of only one cell. Bacteria live in all kinds of the environment including extreme hot and cold conditions. Millions of bacteria are present in the environment around us, on our body and inside it.

Bacteria are both harmful and useful to us. In fact, only a small number of bacteria are responsible for illnesses. Many are beneficial, such as those involved in immunity, digestion, and production of antibiotics and food products.

BENEFITS OF CEPHALEXIN

In Bacterial infections

Cephalexin is an antibiotic medicine that works by killing the infection-causing bacteria in your body. It is effective for bacterial infections of the throat, ears, urinary tract, skin, and soft tissues. This medicine usually makes you feel better within a few days, but you should continue taking it as prescribed even when you feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CEPHALEXIN

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Cephalexin

Rash
Stomach pain
Nausea
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Vomiting

HOW TO USE CEPHALEXIN

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cephalexin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW CEPHALEXIN WORKS

Cephalexinis an antibiotic. It kills bacteria by preventing them from forming the bacterial protective covering (cell wall) which is needed for them to survive.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Cephalexin does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cephalexinis generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breastfeeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cephalexin is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Avoid prolonged use of Cephalexin since it may have possible effects such as rash and diarrhea.

Driving

SAFE

Cephalexin does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

CAUTION

Cephalexin should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cephalexin may be needed. Please consult your doctor.