Cephalexin

The recommended adult dose of cephalexin ranges from 250 mg to 1,000 mg 4 times daily. It can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

The usual dose of cephalexin for children is based on body weight. The recommended dose is 25 mg to 50 mg per kilogram of body weight each day, divided into 4 equal doses.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Although it may be absorbed more quickly if it is taken on an empty stomach, cephalexin may be taken with food or on an empty stomach. The overall effect is not changed by taking it with food.

The liquid form of Cephalexin should be measured accurately with a medication spoon or oral syringe, as these are more accurate than household measuring spoons. Shake the bottle of medication well before measuring each dose.

Finish all of Cephalexin, even you start to feel better. This will reduce the chance of the infection returning.

It is important to take Cephalexin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store the liquid form of Cephalexin in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. Do not freeze. The tablets should be stored at room temperature, protected from light and moisture. Keep Cephalexin out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause diarrhea; it may cause indigestion; it may cause nausea and vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each orange, capsule-shaped, scored, film-coated tablet, engraved "PRO-500" on one side, contains cephalexin monohydrate equivalent to 500 mg of cephalexin. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and FD&C Yellow No. 6.

Do not take Cephalexin if you:

• are allergic to cephalexin, or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other cephalosporin antibiotics

There may be an interaction between cephalexin and any of the following:

• BCG
• Cholera vaccine
• Metformin
• multivitamins with minerals
• sodium picosulfate
• typhoid vaccine
• Warfarin
• zinc

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Cephalexin. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Cephalexin.

Allergy: Some people who are allergic to penicillin antibiotics also experience allergic reactions to cephalosporins, including cephalexin. Before you take cephalexin, tell your doctor about any previous adverse reactions you have had to medications, especially cephalosporins and penicillins. Contact your doctor at once if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and throat.

Other hypersensitivity reactions involving the skin and other organs have also been reported with the use of other, similar antibiotics. Stop taking the medication and get immediate medical attention if you have symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), including fever, swollen glands, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or flu-like symptoms with skin rash or blistering.

Antibiotic-associated colitis: Cephalexin, like other antibiotics, may cause a potentially dangerous condition called antibiotic-associated colitis (or pseudomembranous colitis). Symptoms include severe, watery diarrhea that may be bloody. If you notice these symptoms, stop taking cephalexin and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Bacterial resistance: Misuse of an antibiotic such as cephalexin may lead to the growth of resistant bacteria that will not be killed by the antibiotic. If this happens, the antibiotic may not work for you in the future. Although you may begin to feel better when you first start taking cephalexin, you need to take all of the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor to finish ridding your body of the infection and to prevent resistant bacteria from taking hold. Do not take cephalexin or other antibiotics to treat a viral infection such as The Common Cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and using them to treat viral infections can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.

Kidney function: People with severe kidney problems may require a lower dose of cephalexin. People with Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function should discuss with their doctor how Cephalexin may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cephalexin, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Cephalexin can cause a decrease in liver function, although this happens only occasionally. People with liver disease or reduced liver function should discuss with their doctor how Cephalexin may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cephalexin, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience signs of decreasing liver function, such as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, or pale stools, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged or repeated use of cephalexin may result in an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi and organisms that are not killed by the medication. This can cause other infections to develop, such as yeast infections.

Pregnancy: Cephalexin should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Cephalexin, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Cephalexin passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking cephalexin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

This medication is typically used 4 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Take it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. To be effective, this product must be mixed well. Shake the bottle several times before using the medication. Measure each dose with an accurate measuring device, such as an oral syringe. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food. If it were, however, to cause stomach problems (nausea or irritation), taking the product with food could provide relief.