Cephalexin

Cephalexin uses 

It is a cephalosporin antibiotic which functions by fighting against the bacteria in your body. It is very effective in treating infections that are caused by bacteria such as ear infections, skin infections, respiratory infections, bone infections as well as urinary tract infections. Cephalexin for UTI (urinary tract infection) treatment usually involves seven to fourteen days and should be taken exactly in the same manner as prescribed by the doctor.   

Dosage 

• It should be taken exactly in the same manner as directed by your doctor. Follow all the directions as mentioned on your prescription label. This medicine should not be taken in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. 
• This medicine is taken by mouth as prescribed by your doctor with or without food mainly after every 6 to 12 hours.  
• Before measuring the dose, shake the oral suspension well. Measure the dose carefully with the help of dosing syringe which is provided or medicine cup. Don’t try to measure with household spoon as with that you cannot get the correct dose. 
• The dosage of medicine is mainly based on your medical condition as well as response to treatment, while in children the dose depends upon their weight. 
• One needs to use this medicine for the entire prescribed length of time. You might find that your symptoms have improved before the infection is completely cleared. If you stop this medication too early then you are going to allow the bacteria to continue to grow which can cause the infection to return. Don’t try to take the extra medicine in order to recover the missed dose. 
• Store the tablets and Cephalexin capsules at room temperature right away from heat, light and moisture. 
• Store the liquid medicine in your refrigerator and the one which is unused for 14 days throw it away. 
  

Side Effects 

During the intake of this medicine diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach or vomiting may occur. Tell your doctor immediately if you find that these effects continue to prevail or worsen. One needs to get emergency medical help if he or she finds signs of an allergic reaction to cephalexin. 

Some of the side effects of this medication are: 

• Jaundice, severe stomach pain and diarrhea that is bloody or watery. 
• You might find unusual bleeding from nose, vagina, rectum or mouth; purple and red pinpoint spots under the skin.
• There might be little or no urination; agitation, hallucinations as well as confusion. 
• You might find acute skin infections, burning in your eyes, swelling in your face and tongue, sore throat, fever as well as skin pain followed with red or purple skin rash which spreads and often cause blistering and peeling. 

• If you find that you have white patches in your mouth, a change in your vaginal discharge or any other new symptoms; contact your doctor immediately. This medicine can rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to resistant bacteria. This condition generally takes place during the time of treatment or weeks to months after the treatment has been stopped. 

Remember one thing that your doctor has prescribed this medicine because he has judged you that benefits are greater to you of this medicine than the side effects. Many people are using this medicine and they have not discovered any serious side effects.  

Precautions 

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine or other medicines like cephalosporins, while even if you have any other allergies inform your doctor. Since cephalexin contains some inactive ingredients so maybe it causes allergic reactions or other problems.  

If you are suffering from stomach or intestinal disease and kidney disease then tell your doctor beforehand also inform about the entire medical history of yours. Since the liquid form of this medicine contains sugar, so if you are suffering from diabetes ask the doctor before consuming it.  

There are chances that Cephalexin may not let live bacterial vaccines to work so well. So it is always recommended by doctor not to have any vaccinations or immunizations during the intake of this medicine until and unless your doctor tells you to do so.  

If you are going for any surgery, inform your doctor or dentist about all the products that you are using which include herbal products, prescription drugs as well as non-prescription drugs.  

Mothers who breast-feed their child should not take this medicine as this medicine passes into the milk. At the time of pregnancy, Cephalexin should only be used when very necessary.  

Interactions 

21 drugs are known to interact with this medicine. 

3 major drug interactions

18 moderate drug interactions 

The drug interactions have the ability to change how the medication works or increase the risk for severe side effects. Make a complete list of all the products that you are using right now including herbal and other prescription drugs and share it with your doctor when you visit them. Without the permission of doctor don’t stop, start or change the dosage of any medicines. If you are using any hormonal birth control, then consult your doctor for more details before taking this medicine.  

Therefore, this medication can also cause false test results with few laboratory tests so make sure that your doctor knows you use this medicine. 

MOA (Mechanism of Action) 

This medicine functions by interfering with the formation of bacteria’s cell walls. It kills the bacteria by rupturing the walls. This drug is only used for treating bacterial infections not for treating viruses like common cold.  

Warning

Do not try to use cephalexin in order to treat any condition which has not been first checked by your doctor. Cephalexin for tooth infection and sinus infection should only be used after consulting with the doctor. Do not intake this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin or similar antibiotics. A person suffering from kidney disease will not be able to clear this drug from his body due to which there might be an increase in the levels of this medicine in their body and cause severe side effects. 

We only ship medications which are approved by FDA, Also please consult your doctor to make a full decision on what medication to take.