Keflex Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Cephalexin hydrochloride

Keflex is an antibiotic in a class of drugs known as cephalosporins. Keflex fights bacteria in the body. CEPHALEXIN (Keflex®, Keftab®) is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It treats many kinds of infections including those of the skin, respiratory tract, bone, sinuses, ears, and urinary tract.

Keflex Dosage

• For Throat, Skin, and Urinary Tract Infections, the usual adult dosage is 500 milligrams taken every 12 hours. Cystitis (bladder infection) therapy should be continued for 7 to 14 days.
• For Other Infections, the usual recommended dosage is 250 milligrams taken every 6 hours. For more severe infections, larger doses may be needed, as determined by your doctor.

Uses of Keflex

• Keflex is used to treat many different types of bacterial infections including such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections.
• Keflex may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Keflex

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Keflex. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• agitation
• colitis (inflammation of the large intestine)
• dizziness
• fatigue
• fever
• genital and rectal itching
• hallucinations
• indigestion
• joint pain
• nausea
• rash
• seizures
• severe allergic reaction
• skin peeling
• skin redness
• swelling due to fluid retention
• vaginal discharge
• vaginal inflammation
• vomiting
• yellowing of skin and whites of eyes

Warnings and precautions before taking Keflex:

• If you have a stomach or intestinal disease, especially colitis, then check with your doctor before taking Keflex.
• If you have a kidney disorder, check with your doctor before taking Keflex. You may need a reduced dose.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, then you should notify your doctor immediately.
• If diarrhea occurs while taking cephalexin, then check with your doctor before taking a remedy. Certain diarrhea medications may increase your diarrhea or make it last longer.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Keflex, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Keflex medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Keflex with the following:

• Certain diarrhea medications such as Lomotil
  
• Oral contraceptives
  

Overdose

When you are taking Keflex, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of a Keflex overdose may include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• seizures
• numbness and tingling in the arms or legs
• muscle spasms