Cephadex 500mg

Cephalexin is prescribed when the suspected or confirmed bacteria are susceptible to it. Established uses include:

• Respiratory tract infections, including selected throat and chest infections

• Middle-ear infections

• Skin and soft-tissue infections

• Bone and joint infections

• Urinary and reproductive tract infections, including selected prostate infections

• Dental infections

The appropriate antibiotic depends on the infection, likely organism, susceptibility and local resistance patterns. Cephalexin does not treat viral illnesses such as ordinary colds or influenza.

Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic that interferes with bacterial cell-wall formation. By preventing susceptible bacteria from building and maintaining a normal protective cell wall, the medicine can cause bacterial cells to break down and die.

This antibacterial mechanism explains why Cephadex can be useful for susceptible bacterial infections but has no direct benefit against viral infections. Using antibiotics only when clinically appropriate also helps reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure and resistance.

Cephalexin dosage varies with the infection, severity, age, kidney function and formulation. The following is general prescribing information and not an individual dose recommendation.

Reference situation	General guidance
Adults and ≥15 years	U.S. labeling lists 250mg every 6 hours or 500mg every 12 hours for appropriate infections
Other adult regimens	Some current product information uses 500mg every 8 hours for many infections
Children	Dosing is weight-based rather than automatically using the 500mg strength
Treatment duration	Commonly 7–14 days depending on infection and severity
Kidney impairment	Dose adjustment may be necessary, particularly with significant renal impairment

Take Cephadex exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dose, shorten the interval or extend treatment because symptoms persist.

Cephalexin oral products can generally be taken with or without food. Swallow the prescribed oral dosage form with water and keep doses evenly spaced according to the treatment schedule.

• Complete the prescribed course even if you begin feeling better.

• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next dose; do not double up.

• Tell your healthcare professional if you have significant kidney disease.

• Do not use leftover Cephadex for a later illness or share it with another person.

• If you are not improving after about 2–3 days or are getting worse, contact your healthcare professional.

Common adverse effects include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion and abdominal discomfort. These are usually mild, but persistent or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Important interaction and monitoring points include:

• Probenecid can affect cephalexin elimination and should be disclosed to the prescriber.

• Metformin may require consideration because cephalexin can affect metformin exposure.

• Zinc supplements may reduce cefalexin absorption; NHS advises separating zinc-containing supplements from cefalexin by at least 3 hours.

• Severe or persistent diarrhoea, particularly with blood, requires medical assessment because antibiotic-associated C. difficile infection can occur.

Do not use Cephadex if you have a known hypersensitivity to cephalexin or another cephalosporin. Tell your doctor if you have previously experienced an allergic reaction to penicillins or other beta-lactam antibiotics because cross-reactivity can occur. Serious reactions can include swelling, breathing difficulty, anaphylaxis and severe skin reactions.

People with significant kidney impairment may require a lower dose or longer dosing interval because cephalexin is eliminated through the kidneys. Excess exposure can increase adverse-effect risk, including seizure potential in susceptible patients.

Seek medical attention for severe allergic symptoms, persistent or bloody diarrhoea, unusual bruising, significant weakness or other serious symptoms. Tell your healthcare professional about pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney disease and all medicines or supplements being taken. Children should receive weight- and age-appropriate dosing rather than automatically receiving the adult 500mg strength.

This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional.