cephalexin

ceph·a·lex·in

C0205700 (sĕf′ə-lĕk′sĭn)n. A semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₄S, used especially in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections.

[Blend of cephal(ospor)in and ex- (probably alteration of hex(a)-, from the six carbon atoms comprising the phenyl group that distinguishes it from cephalosporin).]

cephalexin

(ˌsɛfəˈlɛksɪn) na cephalosporin antibiotic prescribed for mild infections of the skin, ears, throat, lungs, or urinary tract

Thesaurus

Noun

cephalexin - an oral cephalosporin (trade names Keflex and Keflin and Keftab) commonly prescribe for mild to moderately severe infections of the skin or ears or throat or lungs or urinary tractKeflex, Keflin, Keftabcephalosporin, Mefoxin - one of several broad spectrum antibiotic substances obtained from fungi and related to penicillin (trade names Mefoxin); addition of side chains has produced semisynthetic antibiotics with greater antibacterial activity

Translations

cephalexin

[sef″ah-lek´sin] a semisynthetic, first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, effective against a wide range of gram-positive and a limited number of gram-negative bacteria; administered orally as the base or the hydrochloride salt in the treatment of tonsillitis, otitis media, and infections of the genitourinary tract, of bones and joints, and of skin and soft tissues.

cephalexin

Apo-Cephalex, Biocef, Dom-Cephalexin, Keflex, Novo-Lexin, Nu-Cephalex, Panixine DisperDose, PMS-Cephalexin

Pharmacologic class: First-generation cephalosporin

Therapeutic class: Anti-infective

Pregnancy risk category B

Action

Interferes with bacterial cell-wall synthesis, causing cell to rupture and die. Active against many gram-positive bacteria; shows limited activity against gram-negative bacteria.

Availability

Capsules: 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg

Oral suspension: 125 mg/5 ml, 250 mg/5 ml

Tablets: 250 mg, 500 mg

Indications and dosages

➣ Respiratory tract infections caused by streptococci; skin and skin-structure infections caused by methicillin-sensitive staphylococci and streptococci; bone infections caused by methicillin-sensitive staphylococci or Proteus mirabilis; genitourinary infections caused by Escherichia coli, P. mirabilis, and Klebsiella species; Haemophilus influenzae, methicillin-sensitive staphylococcal, streptococcal, and Moraxella catarrhalis infections
Adults: 1 to 4 g P.O. daily in divided doses (usually 250 mg P.O. q 6 hours). For uncomplicated cystitis, skin and soft-tissue infections, and streptococcal pharyngitis, 500 mg P.O. q 12 hours.
Children: 25 to 50 mg/kg/day P.O. in divided doses

➣ Otitis media caused by S. pneumoniae
Children: 75 to 100 mg/kg/day P.O. in four divided doses

Dosage adjustment

• Renal impairment

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins or penicillin

Precautions

Use cautiously in:

• renal impairment, phenylketonuria

• history of GI disease

• debilitated or emaciated patients

• elderly patients

• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Give with or without food.

• Refrigerate oral suspension.

Adverse reactions

CNS: fever, headache, lethargy, paresthesia, syncope, seizures

CV: edema, hypotension, vasodilation, palpitations, chest pain

EENT: hearing loss

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, oral candidiasis, pseudomembranous colitis

GU: vaginal candidiasis, nephrotoxicity

Hematologic: lymphocytosis, eosinophilia, bleeding tendency, hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, bone marrow depression

Musculoskeletal: joint pain

Respiratory: dyspnea

Skin: rash, maculopapular and erythematous urticaria

Other: superinfection, chills, pain, allergic reaction, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, serum sickness

Interactions

Drug-drug. Aminoglycosides, loop diuretics: increased risk of nephrotoxicity

Chloramphenicol: antagonistic effect

Probenecid: increased cephalexin blood level

Drug-diagnostic tests. Alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, eosinophils, lactate dehydrogenase, lymphocytes: increased values
Coombs' test: false-positive result (especially in neonates whose mothers received drug before delivery)

Granulocytes, neutrophils, white blood cells: decreased counts

Patient monitoring

• Assess for signs and symptoms of serious adverse reactions, including hypersensitivity, severe diarrhea, and bleeding.

• During long-term therapy, monitor CBC and liver and kidney function test results.

Patient teaching

Instruct patient to stop taking drug and contact prescriber immediately if he develops rash or difficulty breathing.

• Tell patient to take drug with full glass of water.

• Advise patient to report severe diarrhea.

• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs and tests mentioned above.

cephalexin

(sĕf′ə-lĕk′sĭn)n. A semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic, C₁₆H₁₇N₃O₄S, used especially in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections.

cephalexin

Keflex^® Infectious disease A 3^rd generation broad-spectrum cephalosporin

cephalexin

Cefalexin, a CEPHALOSPORIN antibiotic effective by mouth. Brand names are Ceporex and Keflex.

cephalexin

ceph·a·lex·in

cephalexin

cephalexin

cephalexin

cephalexin

Action

Availability

Indications and dosages

Dosage adjustment

Contraindications

Precautions

Administration

Adverse reactions

Interactions

Patient monitoring

Patient teaching

cephalexin

cephalexin

cephalexin

cephalexin

Synonyms for cephalexin

noun an oral cephalosporin (trade names Keflex and Keflin and Keftab) commonly prescribe for mild to moderately severe infections of the skin or ears or throat or lungs or urinary tract

Synonyms

Related Words