How does it work?
This medicine contains the active ingredient cefalexin (previously spelt cephalexin in the UK), which is an antibiotic medicine used to treat infections with bacteria. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called the cephalosporins.
Cefalexin treats bacterial infections by killing the bacteria causing the infection. It does this by preventing the bacteria from forming normal cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria protect the bacterial cells and are essential for their survival. When these cell walls are not formed correctly it causes them to disintegrate and the bacteria therefore die.
Cephalosporins are known as broad-spectrum antibiotics because they are active against a wide variety of types of bacteria.
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?
Infection of the kidney (pyelonephritis)
Infections of the ears, nose or throat
Infections of the organs associated with breathing, including nasal passages, sinuses, windpipe and lungs (respiratory tract)
Infections of the urinary tract
Skin or soft tissue infections
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.
Use with caution in
Allergy to penicillin-type antibiotics
Kidney disease
Not to be used in
Allergy to any of the active ingredients
Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)
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.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
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.
There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used during pregnancy.
This medicine passes into breast milk. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding.
Label warnings
Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
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