Health Centres - Keflex (cefalexin)
How does it work?
Keflex tablets, capsules and oral suspension contain the active ingredient cefalexin, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. (NB. Cefalexin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Cefalexin is a type of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. These antibiotics are related to penicillin. Cefalexin is used to treat infections wih bacteria.
Cefalexin works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Cefalexin impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and kills the bacteria.
Cefalexin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of commonly-occuring infections. Cefalexin is given by mouth to treat infections of the upper and lower airways, ears, skin and soft tissue. It may also be used to treat urinary tract infections, certain sexually-transmitted infections, bone and joint infections and dental infections.
To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to cefalexin your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.
What is it used for?
- Bacterial infections of the lungs and airways (respiratory tract).
- Bacterial infections of the middle ear (otitis media).
- Bacterial infections of the skin or soft tissue.
- Bacterial infections of bones and joints.
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Bacterial infections of the urinary tract, including chronic prostatitis.
- Bacterial infections of the genitals.
- Bacterial infections of the teeth or gums.
Warning!
- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after treatment with this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Use with caution in
- Decreased kidney function.
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Allergy to penicillin-type antibiotics.
Not to be used in
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Allergy to other cephalosporin-type antibiotics.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- This medicine is not known to be harmful when used by pregnant women. However, as with all medicines, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and only when considered essential by your doctor, particularly during the first trimester. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
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