Cephalexin (Keflex, Keftab)

• Generic name: Cephalexin
• Brand names: Keflex, Keftab, Biocef
• Drug class: Cephalosporin antibiotic

Cephalexin is a semisynthetic, first generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is indicated for the treatment of the following infections:

• Respiratory tract infection (pneumonia, bronchitis, strep throat, or tonsillitis)
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
• Middle ear infection (otitis media)
• Sinus infection (sinusitis)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Irritation of the prostate (prostatitis)
• Skin infection (cellulitis, folliculitis, or impetigo)

Cephalexin without a prescription

Here you can buy the generic equivalent if cephalexin antibiotic.

Dosage	Quantity	Pharmacy	Price	Buy
250 mg	100 capsules	4RX.com	$36
250 mg	200 capsules	4RX.com	$67
250 mg	300 capsules	4RX.com	$97
500 mg	60 capsules	4RX.com	$30
500 mg	90 capsules	4RX.com	$45
500 mg	120 capsules	4RX.com	$56
500 mg	180 capsules	4RX.com	$81
500 mg	240 capsules	4RX.com	$105
500 mg	300 capsules	4RX.com	$128

Cephalexin (Keflex) Advantages

• Safe, well-tolerated, almost without dose-related toxicity. It is relatively safe antibiotic in pregnancy.
• Very low risk for allergic reactions.
• More effective than penicillin in the streptococcal throat infection (strep throat) and impetigo.
• Food slows but does not decrease absorption.
• Because Cephalexin is absorbed high in the intestinal tract, it does not disturb the lower bowel flora.

Cephalexin (Keflex) Drawbacks

• Very short half-life (50-80 min) requires 4 times per day dosing.
• Less effective than cefatrizine and cefaclor against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis.
• Not effective against many gram-negative beta-lactamase­producing bacteria.

Cephalexin versus prescription antibiotics

Comparison with Ofloxacin
Study have shown that ofloxacin and cephalexin are equally effective in the treatment of skin and soft-tissue infections.

Comparison with Azithromycin
A five-day, once-daily regimen of azithromycin is as effective as a ten-day, twice-daily regimen of cephalexin in the treatment of skin and skin structure infections.

Comparison with Penicillin
Cephalexin is a more effective antibiotic than penicillin in the treatment of group A streptococcal throat infection (strep throat) in children. Bacteriologic and clinical cure of streptococcal pharyngitis is about twice as likely to occur with cephalosporin therapy than with penicillin.

Comparison with Minocycline
The multicenter study compared relative safety and efficacy of minocycline and cephalexin in the treatment of acute or chronic prostatitis. The study shown that more patients in the minocycline-treated group had both clinical and bacteriologic cures (35%) than did those in the cephalexin-treated group (21%).

How to take

• Do not use this medication if you are allergic to cephalexin, or to other cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g. cefazcefuroxime).
• Cephalexin may be taken with or without meals.
• Check body temperature daily. If fever persists for more than a few days or if high fever (greater than 102°F) or shaking chills are noted, notify health care provider immediately.
• To clear up the infection completely you shoud take the full prescription course of Cephalexin.
• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it.
• Use the medication with extreme caution in children younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.

Cephalexin dosage

ADULTS

Throat, Skin, and Urinary Tract Infections
The usual adult dosage is 500 mg taken every 12 hours. Cystitis (bladder infection) therapy should be continued for 7 to 14 days.

Other Infections
The usual recommended dosage is 250 mg taken every 6 hours.
For more severe infections, larger doses may be needed, as determined by your doctor.

CHILDREN UNDER 15 YEARS OLD

The usual dose is 25 to 50 mg for each 2.2 pounds of body weight per day, divided into smaller doses.

For strep throat in children over 1 year of age and for skin infections, the dose may be divided into 2 doses taken every 12 hours.

For strep infections, the medication should be taken for at least 10 days. Your doctor may double the dose if your child has a severe infection.

For middle ear infection, the dose is 75 to 100 mg per 2.2 pounds per day, divided into 4 doses.