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Home > Drugs > First generation cephalosporins > Keflex
First generation cephalosporins

Keflex

https://themeditary.com/drug/keflex-479.html
Medically Reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD TheMediTary.Com | Reviewed: Jul 11, 2023  Additional Content by TheMediTary.Com

Generic name: cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ]

Drug class: First generation cephalosporins

Dosage form: capsule

Availability: Prescription only

Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available

Brand names: Cephalexin

Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
  • Keflex (Cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ])-DISTA H69 KEFLEX 250 mg-250 MG-Green / White-Capsule-shape Keflex 250 MG (DISTA H69 KEFLEX 250 mg)
  • Keflex (Cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ])-DISTA H71 KEFLEX 500 mg-500 MG-Green / Green-Capsule-shape Keflex 500 MG (DISTA H71 KEFLEX 500 mg)
  • Keflex (Cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ])-KEFLEX 750 mg-750 mg-Green-Capsule-shape Keflex 750 mg (KEFLEX 750 mg)
  • Keflex (Cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ])-KEFLEX 250 mg-250 mg-Green / White-Capsule-shape Keflex 250 mg (KEFLEX 250 mg)
  • View all images

What is Keflex?

Keflex is a cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in) antibiotic. It works by fighting bacteria in your body.

Keflex is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections and bone infections.

Keflex is used to treat infections in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.

Warnings

You should not use Keflex if you are allergic to cephalexin or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceftin, Cefzil, Omnicef, and others. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, especially penicillins or other antibiotics.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis, or diabetes.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Keflex will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure Keflex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had

  • an allergy to any drug (especially penicillin);

  • liver or kidney disease; or

  • intestinal problems, such as colitis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Keflex pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I use Keflex

Take Keflex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Do not use Keflex to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Cephalexin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share Keflex with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Detailed Keflex dosage information
Keflex Dosage information (more detail)

Before Taking

To make sure Keflex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had

  • an allergy to any drug (especially penicillin);

  • liver or kidney disease; or

  • intestinal problems, such as colitis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Keflex pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

Related/similar drugs

prednisone, amoxicillin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, metronidazole, azithromycin

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and blood in your urine.

What should I avoid while using Keflex?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Keflex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Keflex (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);

  • unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin;

  • a seizure;

  • pale skin, cold hands and feet;

  • yellowed skin, dark colored urine;

  • fever, weakness; or

  • pain in your side or lower back, painful urination.

Common Keflex side effects may include:

  • diarrhea;

  • nausea, vomiting;

  • indigestion, stomach pain; or

  • vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See more: Keflex Side Effects

What other drugs will affect Keflex?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • metformin; or

  • probenecid.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with cephalexin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

More FAQ

Can Keflex be bad for a diabetic?
Animal keflex is the same as human keflex, correct? I am almost sure but wanted to get more input?
Can keflex be used for strep throat?
Gastrointestinal Diverticula - what dose/frequency of keflex should be used for diverticulosis?
View more FAQ

More about Keflex (Cephalexin [ sef-a-lex-in ])

Dosage information
Keflex Side Effects
Patient tips
During pregnancy
Keflex Prescribing Information
Drug images
Side effects
Drug class: First generation cephalosporins

Patient resources

Keflex Capsules and Tablets
Keflex (Suspension)

Related treatment guides

Bacterial Infection
Bacterial Endocarditis Prevention (Bacterial Endocarditis Prophylaxis)
Bladder Infection
Acne
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Contents
Uses Warnings Before Taking Dosage Side effects Interactions FAQ
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