Treats bacterial infections.Belongs to a class of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics
Brand Names:
Keflex, Keftab, Bio-Cef
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to cephalosporin medicine such as Ceclor®, Velosef®, or Suprax®
Uses:
Capsule, Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
Shake the oral liquid well each time you use it.
Measure your oral liquid dose carefully with a measuring spoon or a medicine cup.
Keep taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel better. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your infection may come back.
If a dose is missed:
Take your medicine as soon as you remember that you have missed your dose.
If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
You should not use two doses at one time.
Storage:
Store capsules and tablets at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
You may keep the oral liquid in the refrigerator for 14 days. After that, throw away any unused liquid. Do not freeze.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking birth control pills or probenecid (Benemid®, ColBENEMID®) while taking cephalexin.
Warnings:
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have ever had an allergic reaction to penicillin medicines.
If you have severe diarrhea while taking cephalexin, check with your doctor before taking medicine to stop the diarrhea.
Cefalexin may cause incorrect results with some urine sugar tests used by patients with diabetes.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
