Adult Dosing
Bacterial Infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- 1-4 g/day PO divided bid-qid x 7-14 days. Max: 4 g/day
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Skin and skin structure infections
Urinary tract infections (Uncomplicated)
- 500 mg PO bid x 10-14 days
Endocarditis prophylaxis (Not FDA approved)
- 2 grams PO given as a single dose 1 hr prior to the procedure
Acute bronchitis
- 250-1000 mg/dose tid/qid for 5-10 days. Max: 4 g/day
Pediatric Dosing
Bacterial Infections caused by susceptible bacteria
- 25-50 mg/kg/day PO divided bid-qid
Streptococcal pharyngitis
- >15 yrs: 500 mg PO bid x 7-14 days
- >1 yrs: 25-50 mg/kg/day PO divided bid x 10 days [Max 500 mg PO bid]
Skin and skin structure infections
- >15 yrs: 500 mg PO bid x 7-14 days
- >1 yrs: 25-50 mg/kg/day PO divided bid
Urinary tract infections (Uncomplicated)
- >15 yrs: 500 mg PO bid x 10-14 days
Otitis media
- 75-100 mg/kg/day PO divided q6 hrs
Endocarditis prophylaxis (Not FDA approved)
- 50 mg/kg PO given as a single dose 1 hr prior to the procedure. Max: 2 grams/dose
Pharyngitis (Acute) [Non-FDA Approved]
- >25 kg: 500 mg PO bid
- <25 kg: 40 mg/kg/day PO, divided bid [Max 1000 mg/day]
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- >50 mL/min: q6-8hrs
- 10-50 mL/min: q8-12hrs
- <10 mL/min: q12-24hrs
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: No adjustment needed
- Prior to initiating therapy determine whether the patient has had previous hypersensitivity reactions to cephalexin, cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs
- Cautiously administer in penicillin sensitive patients as cross sensitivity may occur
- Suspend therapy on occurrence of an allergic reaction and treat accordingly if serious acute hypersensitivity takes place
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea which may vary in severity from mild to fatal colitis, has been reported with use of cefadroxil
- Careful clinical observation and appropriate laboratory studies should be made prior to and during therapy in patients with known or suspected renal impairment
- Use of therapy in strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication may increase the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria
- Careful observation is needed in prolonged use of therapy because prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of non susceptible organism. Appropriate measures should be taken if superinfection occurs during therapy
- Positive direct Coombs’ tests can be associated with the therapy
- Monitor prothrombin time periodically as therapy may be associated with a fall in prothrombin activity. Exogenous vitamin K administered as indicated
- Administer cautiously in patients with hx of GI disease particularly colitis
- Reduce dosage in patients with transient or persistent renal insufficiency because high and prolonged plasma concentrations of cephalexin can result following recommended doses
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- Caution if history of hypersensitivity to penicillins
Pregnancy Category:B
Breastfeeding: This drug is compatible and considered safe with breastfeeding based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 14 January 2011). Limited information indicates that maternal doses of cephalexin up to 1 g produce low levels in breast milk that are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
cephalexin (generic)
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Keflex
- CAPS: 250, 500, 750 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Canadian Trade Name(s)
- Apo-Cephalex
- Novo-Lexin
- Nu-Cephalex
Canadian Availability
Apo-Cephalex, Nu-Cephalex
Novo-Lexin
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- TABS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
cefalexin (generic)
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Ceporex
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 500 mg/5 mL
Keflex
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Cephabell
- Cephatrust
- Cilex
- Lalex
- Ibilex
- Keflex
- Rancef
- Sporahexal
Australian Availability
cephalexin (generic)
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Cephabell, Cephatrust, Keflex, Rancef, Sporhexal
Cilex, Lalex, Ibilex
- CAPS: 250, 500 mg
- SUSP: 125mg/5 mL
- SUSP: 250 mg/5 mL
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Cephalexin 250 MG/5ML SUSR [Bottle] (LUPIN PHARMACEUTICALS)
200 5ml = $22.99
600 5ml = $68.97 - Cephalexin 250 MG CAPS [Bottle] (LUPIN PHARMACEUTICALS)
30 mg = $14.99
60 mg = $19.97 - Cephalexin 125 MG/5ML SUSR [Bottle] (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA)
100 5ml = $15.99
200 5ml = $21.98 - Cephalexin 250 MG/5ML SUSR [Bottle] (TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS USA)
100 5ml = $26.99
200 5ml = $45.97 - Cephalexin 500 MG CAPS [Bottle] (WEST-WARD)
30 mg = $16.99
60 mg = $25.98 - Keflex 500 MG CAPS [Bottle] (SHIONOGI PHARMA)
30 mg = $175.99
90 mg = $514.95 - Keflex 750 MG CAPS [Bottle] (SHIONOGI PHARMA)
50 mg = $215.98
150 mg = $630
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.