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===Indications===
===Indications===
Cefalexin is used to treat [[urinary tract infection]]s, respiratory tract infections (including [[sinusitis]], [[otitis media]], [[pharyngitis]], [[tonsillitis]], [[pneumonia]], [[bronchitis]]), and skin and soft tissue infections.
Cefalexin is used to treat [[urinary tract infection]]s, respiratory tract infections (including [[sinusitis]], [[otitis media]], [[pharyngitis]], [[tonsillitis]], [[pneumonia]], and [[bronchitis]]), and skin and soft tissue infections.


In addition to being a rational [[first-line treatment]] for [[cellulitis]], it is a useful alternative to [[penicillin]]s in patients with penicillin [[hypersensitivity]].
In addition to being a rational [[first-line treatment]] for [[cellulitis]], it is a useful alternative to [[penicillin]]s in patients with penicillin [[hypersensitivity]].

Revision as of 22:08, 22 November 2008

Cefalexin
Clinical data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: A
Routes of
administration
Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityWell absorbed
Metabolism90% excreted unchanged
Elimination half-life0.9 hours
ExcretionRenal
Identifiers
  • (6R,7R)-7-{[(2R)-2-amino-2-phenylacetyl]amino}- 3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene- 2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.036.142 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC16H17N3O4S
Molar mass347.39 g/mol g·mol−1

Cefalexin (INN) (Template:PronEng) or cephalexin (USAN) is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is an orally administered agent with a similar antimicrobial spectrum to the intravenous agents cefalotin and cefazolin. It is commonly marketed under the trade name Keflex (Lilly) or Sporidex (Ranbaxy).

Clinical use

Indications

Cefalexin is used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections (including sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and bronchitis), and skin and soft tissue infections.

In addition to being a rational first-line treatment for cellulitis, it is a useful alternative to penicillins in patients with penicillin hypersensitivity.

Formulations

Cefalexin is commonly marketed in the following forms:

DOSE TYPE DOSAGE
Pulvules 250 mg
Pulvules 500 mg
Oral Suspension 125 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)
Oral Suspension 250 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)
Tablet 500 mg

(NOTE: A Pulvule is an easy to swallow, oblong capsule that becomes slick when moistened by saliva when swallowing.)

It is marketed by generic pharmaceutical manufacturers under a wide range of brand names, including: Apo-Cephalex, Biocef, Cefanox, Ceporex, Cephabos, Cilex, Ialex, Ibilex, Kefexin, Keflet, Keflex, Keforal, Keftab, Keftal, Lopilexin, Larixin, Novo-Lexin, Ospexin, Zephalexin, Panixine Disperdose and Sporidex.

A version of Keflex 750 mg capsules is marketed for twice-daily dosage, to improve patients' compliance. However, it is not a sustained release formulation, and since it is more expensive than the older strengths, some physicians prescribe three 250 mg capsules to be taken twice daily, as a cheaper alternative.[citation needed]