Kefalex
Kefalex is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections in areas like the skin, urinary tract, and respiratory system.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
500 mg
Active Ingredient
Cefalexin monohydrate
Manufacturer
ratiopharm GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Take Kefalex exactly as your doctor tells you. Your dose is unique to you and depends on your infection.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with liquid. You can take them with or without food. If you find them hard to swallow, you can break them along the score line.
Important
Your doctor will tell you the highest dose you can take each day. Do not take more than this.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
- •Vomiting (throwing up)
- •Diarrhea (loose stools)
- •Stomach pain
RARE
- •Hives (itchy, red welts on the skin)
- •Skin rash
- •Increase in certain white blood cells (eosinophilia)
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- •Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Temporary rise in liver enzymes or bilirubin levels in blood tests
- •Widespread red, scaly rash with small bumps and blisters (AGEP)
- •Itching or inflammation in the genital and anal areas, including vaginal inflammation
- •Swelling in the throat area (larynx)
- •Serum sickness (an allergic reaction causing fever, rash, joint pain)
- •Low number of platelets in your blood (thrombocytopenia)
- •Low number of white blood cells (leukopenia, agranulocytosis)
- •Anemia caused by red blood cells breaking down (hemolytic anemia)
- •Toxic psychosis (a severe mental state caused by substances)
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Bowel blockage (paralytic ileus)
- •Diarrhea with blood
- •Severe colon inflammation (pseudomembranous colitis)
- •Tooth discoloration
- •Mouth inflammation
- •Very severe skin reactions such as Lyell's syndrome, pemphigus vulgaris, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- •Joint pain (arthritis)
- •Kidney inflammation with blood in urine (interstitial nephritis)
- •Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Kefalex if you are allergic to cefalexin, other cephalosporin antibiotics, penicillin, or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Stop taking Kefalex and call your doctor right away if you get a severe skin rash, peeling skin, blisters, or mouth sores. These can be signs of a very serious allergic reaction.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, an inflamed bowel (like colitis), or porphyria, or if you are taking any other medicines.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Increase the dosing interval in moderately severe renal impairment. (updated 6.11.2023)