Yes, Keflex (cephalexin) is considered a powerful and effective antibiotic for treating specific bacterial infections. It is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that works by killing bacteria, primarily by preventing them from forming cell walls.
Cephalexin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Cephalexin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, urinary tract infections and bone infections. Cephalexin is used to treat infections in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.
Cephalexin remains an effective and highly useful antibiotic for the treatment of streptococcal and staphylococcal skin infections. Twelve years of experience have not diminished its efficacy, and cure rates of 90% or higher continue to be achieved.
For most infections, you'll start to feel better in a few days, but this depends on the type of infection you have. It's important that you take the full course your doctor has advised, even if you feel better. It will stop the infection coming back.
For the fastest relief from a UTI, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) can work in as little as 3 days, while fosfomycin (Monurol) offers a quick, single-dose treatment; however, the best choice depends on local resistance patterns and your health, with doctors often preferring nitrofurantoin for uncomplicated cases.
When taking cephalexin, you should avoid taking it with zinc supplements, as it reduces effectiveness, and separate it by 3 hours from multivitamins/minerals; also be cautious with diabetes drugs like metformin, gout medicine probenecid, diuretics (like furosemide), vitamin K, certain vaccines (typhoid, cholera), and probiotics, and generally limit alcohol, though it's not strictly forbidden. Always tell your doctor about all meds, supplements, and herbs you take.
For some types of infection, you may need to take cefalexin for at least 10 days. Tell your doctor if you do not start to feel better after taking cefalexin for 2 to 3 days, or if you feel worse at any time. Do not stop taking it before you're supposed to, as there's a risk the infection could come back.
Vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, daptomycin, ceftaroline, and telavancin are all considered appropriate antimicrobial agents for treatment of severe purulent infections, while trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline are recommended for moderate purulent infections.
Cephalexin can start working almost immediately within a few hours of taking it. However, it may take a few days to start seeing the resolution of your symptoms (roughly 48 hours).
The strongest antibiotics for ear infections include Amoxicillin, Cefdinir, Cefuroxime, and Ciprofloxacin.
The usual adult dosage of cephalexin ranges from 1-4 g daily given in divided doses. Dosage usually is 250 mg every 6 hours or 500 mg every 12 hours. For severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, higher dosage may be needed (up to 4 g daily in adults).
Prescribed Keflex is associated with common side effects such as restlessness, agitation, dizziness, anxiousness, and headaches.
The most common cephalexin (Keflex) side effects are diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Headache, fatigue, and dizziness are also possible. Cephalexin can raise the risk of vaginal yeast infections, too. Most cephalexin side effects are mild and can be managed at home.
Another serious but rare side effect is hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be made. Symptoms can include unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, and a rapid heart rate.
KEFLEX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to cephalexin or other members of the cephalosporin class of antibacterial drugs.
MRSA is one of the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Symptoms of MRSA infection often begin as small red bumps on the skin that can progress to deep, painful abscesses or boils, which are pus-filled masses under the skin.
For example, even if you have a bacterial sinus infection, you may or may not have a fever, or you may or may not have a sore throat, etc. However, it's still worth knowing the differing symptoms between all these health issues, especially when it comes to fevers.
Cellulitis usually starts as a small, red patch that's slightly sore. The infected area can get larger quickly. In a couple of days, it could spread from a small spot on your calf to cover your entire lower leg.
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci and most isolates of enterococci are resistant to cephalexin. Cephalexin is not active against most isolates of Enterobacter spp., Morganella morganii, and Proteus vulgaris. Cephalexin has no activity against Pseudomonas spp., or Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.
Cephalexin is commonly utilized in the treatment of urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, otitis media, bone infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Proteus mirabilis, and skin and soft tissue infections primarily caused by S aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes.
Although there is no direct interaction between cephalexin and milk, it is advisable not to take antibiotics with milk as it may decrease the amount of medicine absorbed into the bloodstream. You can take dairy products two to three hours before taking an antibiotic.
When taking cephalexin, you should avoid taking it with zinc supplements, as it reduces effectiveness, and separate it by 3 hours from multivitamins/minerals; also be cautious with diabetes drugs like metformin, gout medicine probenecid, diuretics (like furosemide), vitamin K, certain vaccines (typhoid, cholera), and probiotics, and generally limit alcohol, though it's not strictly forbidden. Always tell your doctor about all meds, supplements, and herbs you take.
What are the side effects of cephalexin? Common cephalexin side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion, and heartburn. This medication can also cause tiredness, dizziness, confusion, agitation, headache, joint pain, and genital or vaginal itching.