Cephalexin

DEA Class; Rx

Common Brand Names; Keflex, Panixine Disperdose

Indicated for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, including group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis (primary rheumatic fever prophylaxis) and tonsillitis.

Documented hypersensitivity

• Abdominal pain
• Agitation
• Anemia
• Angioedema
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dyspepsia
• Elevated transaminases
• Eosinophilia hemolytic
• Epidermal necrolysis
• Erythema multiform
• Fatigue
• Gastritis
• Genital pruritus
• Hallucinations
• Headache
• Hemolytic anemia
• Hypersensitivity
• Nephritis
• Neutropenia
• Pseudomembranous colitis
• Thrombocytopenia
• Transient hepatitis
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Urticaria
• Vaginal discharge
• Vomiting

Endocarditis prophylaxis is appropriate only for high-risk patients, per American Heart Association guidelines

Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity)

Superinfections and promotion of nonsusceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy

Prolonged treatment, hepatic or renal disease, or nutritional deficiency may be associated with increased international normalized ratio (INR)

Prolonged use is associated with fungal or bacterial superinfection

Use with caution in patients with history of hypersensitivity to penicillin

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies

Data from a published clinical lactation study reports that cephalexin is present in human milk; relative infant dose (RID) is considered to be <1% of maternal weight adjusted dose; there are no data on effects of cephalexin on breastfed child or on milk production