What is Keflex?
Keflex (Cephalexin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic (SEF with low sporin level). The medicine is in use to destroy bacteria in the body.
Keflex is in use for treatment of the infections, caused by bacteria including infections of respiratory tract, ear infections, skin infections, and infections of urinary tract.
Keflex may be also in use for treatment of diseases to which the manual does not refer.
Important Information
You should not take Keflex if you suffer from Cephalexin allergy or such analog antibiotics as Ceftin, Cefzil, and Omnicef allergy. Make your physician know if you suffer from some kinds of medicine allergy especially if you have penicillin or another antibiotic allergy, or if you suffer from kidney diseases, liver diseases, and stomach diseases, such intestinal disorders as colitis, diabetes mellicus, or malnutrition.
Take the medicine during all the time prescribed by your physician. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely managed.
Keflex is not in use for treatment of such viral infections as chill or flu.
What is necessary to do before Taking the Medicine
You should not take Keflex if you suffer from Cephalexin allergy or such cephalosporin group antibiotics as:
- Cefachlor (Raniclor);
- Cefadroxil (Duricef);
- Cefazolin (Ancef);
- Cefdinir (Omnicef);
- Cefditoren (Spectracef);
- Cefpodoxime (Vantin);
- Chefprosil (Cefzil);
- Ceftibuten (Cedax);
- Cefuroxime (Ceftin);
- Cefradine (Velosef) and others.
Make sure that you may take Keflex without any risk for your health and make the physician sure, if you suffer from:
- Any medicine (especially penicillin) allergy;
Kidney diseases;
Intestinal diseases, such as colitis.
It is supposed that Keflex may be harmful for unborn child. If you are pregnant or if you are about to be pregnant during the treatment, make your physician know about it.
As Cephalexin may penetrate into breast milk, it may be harmful for a breastfed infant. If you nurse, make your physician know about it.
How to Take Keflex?
Take Keflex strictly according to the medical prescription. Follow all instructions written on the prescription label. Do not take more or less doses of the medicine longer than prescribed time.
Do not take Keflex for treatment of any states without physical examination.
Take the medicine during all the time prescribed by your physician. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely managed. Missing doses increase risk of following complications caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Keflex is not in use for treatment of such viral infections as chill or flu.
Do not give Keflex to other people even if they have the same symptoms.
During treatment of disease using other medicines, this medicine may cause side effects. Inform the physicians treating you for other diseases, that you take Keflex.
Keep Keflex at room temperature without moisture, warm, and light.
What does Missed Dose May Cause?
Take Keflex strictly according to the medical prescription. Take the dose as soon as you remember about it. Miss the missed dose if it is time for you to take the next dose. Do not take double dose of the medicine to supply the missed dose.
What does Overdose May Cause?
Symptoms of overdose may include sickness, vomiting, stomach, diarrhea, and bloody urine.
What is It Necessary to Prevent during Taking of Keflex?
Antibiotic medicines may cause diarrhea, which may be a symptom of other infection. If you suffer from water or bloody diarrhea, consult a doctor. Do not take medicine against diarrhea without medical prescription.
Side Effects of Keflex
Get emergency medicine if you have the next symptoms of allergic reactions to Keflex:
- rash;
- hard breathing;
- Face edema, lip edema, tongue edema, and throat edema.
Immediately call the physician if you have the next symptoms:
- Severe stomach pain, watery diarrhea, bloodstained diarrhea;
- Jaundice (yellow skin or yellow eyes);
- Light bruises, strange bleeding (epistaxis, bleeding mouth, vaginal bleeding, or rectum bleeding), purple or red macula under your skin;
- Urination disorder;
- Clouded consciousness, hallucination;
- Hard skin reaction, fever, sore throat, face edema, tongue edema, burning eyes, painful skin and large red or purple rash (especially if it is on the face or on upperparts) causing bubbles and skin peeling.
General side effects of Keflex may include:
- diarrhea;
- Giddiness and feeling of tiredness;
- Headache and joint pain;
- Vaginal pruritus
Dose of Keflex for Adult Patients
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis: Take 2 g of the medicine as single dose an hour before a procedure.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for cystitis: Take 250 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours or take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 12 hours during 7-14 days.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for otitis: Take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours during 10-14 days
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for pharyngitis: Take 250 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours or take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 12 hours.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for skin infection or soft tissues infection: Take 250 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours or take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 12 hours.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for osteomyelitis: Take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours. Therapy should be in progress up to 4-6 weeks depending on nature of infection and severity of infection.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for prostatitis: Take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours during 14 days.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for pyelonephritis: Take 500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours during 14 days.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for treatment of infections of upper airways: Take 250-500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours during 7-10 days.
General dose of Keflex for adult patients for bacillosis infection: Take 250-500 mg of the medicine per orally every 6 hours.
Take therapy during 7-21 day depending on nature and severity of infection.
What Medicines Influence on Keflex?
All medicines including prescribed medicines, medications without a prescription, vitamins and bioactive substances interact with Keflex. Inform all physicians about the medicines you take currently and about the medicines, you begin or stop to take.
