CEPHALEXIN

(sef a LEX in) Brand: Keflex, Panixine

What is the most significant information I must know about cephalexin?

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin, or to similar antibiotics, such as Ceclor, Ceftin, Cefzil, Duricef, Fortaz, Omnicef, Spectracef, Suprax, and others.

• Till using cephalexin, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have kidney or liver malady, a stomach or intestinal mess such as colitis, diabetes, or if you are malnourished.

• Take this medicine for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated. Cephalexin will not treat a viral infection such as the general cool or flu.

What is cephalexin?

• Cephalexin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics. Cephalexin fights bacteria in the body.

• Cephalexin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria, including upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.

• Cephalexin may also be used for another purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking cephalexin?

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin, or to another cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

· cefaclor (Ceclor);

· cefadroxil (Duricef);

· cefdinir (Omnicef);

· cefditoren (Spectracef);

· cefixime (Suprax);

· cefprozil (Cefzil);

· ceftazidime (Fortaz); or

· cefuroxime (Ceftin).

• Till using cephalexin, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs (especially penicillins), or if you have:

· kidney disease;

· liver disease;

· a stomach or intestinal mess such as colitis;

· diabetes; or

· if you are malnourished.

• If you have any of these conditions, you may need a doze adjustment or particular trials to safely take cephalexin.

• The oral suspension (liquid) form of cephalexin may contain sugar. This may affect you if you have diabetes.

• FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

• Cephalexin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take cephalexin?

• Take the medicine exactly as it was predesigned for you. Do not use the medicine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

• Take cephalexin with a full glass of water.

• Dissolve the cephalexin dispersible tablet in a little amount of water, about 2 teaspoonfuls. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To create certain you get the entire doze, add a few more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away. Do not swallow or chew a dispersible tablet.

• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just till you measure a doze. To be certain you get the correct doze, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Take cephalexin for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated. Cephalexin will not treat a viral infection such as the general cool or flu.

• This medicine can reason you to have unusual results with determined medical trials. Speak any doctor who treats you that you are using cephalexin.

• Store the tablets and capsules at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

• Store the liquid medication in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your following doze, skip the missed doze and take the medication at your following regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine.

• Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, and blood in your urine.

What must I avoid while taking cephalexin?

• Antibiotic medicines can reason diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medication to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of cephalexin?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

· diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

· seizure (convulsions);

· fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

· pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

· light bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

· confusion, agitation, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there); or

· urinating smaller than normal or not at all.

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

· dizziness, weary feeling;

· joint pain; or

· vaginal itching or discharge.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect cephalexin?

• Till using cephalexin, speak your doctor if you are using any of the next drugs:

· a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

· metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Riomet, Actoplus, Avandamet, Metaglip); or

· probenecid (Benemid).

• This list is not complete and there may be another drugs that can interact with cephalexin. Speak your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start using a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about cephalexin.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.