Cefalexin
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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration | Oral |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | Well absorbed |
| Metabolism | 90% excreted unchanged |
| Elimination half-life | 0.9 hours |
| Excretion | Renal |
| Identifiers | |
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| CAS Number | |
| PubChem CID | |
| DrugBank | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.036.142 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C16H17N3O4S |
| Molar mass | 347.39 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
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. |
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]
External links
- MedlinePlus Drug Information: Cephalosporins (systemic) – information from USP DI Advice for the Patient
- FDA Drug Information PDF and Pharmacy Drug Information Insert.