Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a 1st generation cephalosporin antibiotic.

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Indications Cephalexin

It is used to treat the following disorders:

• infectious lesions of the respiratory system (pulmonary abscess, pneumonia, empyema, and bronchopneumonia);
• diseases affecting the ENT organs (otitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis or pharyngitis);
• infectious pathologies in the urogenital system (pyelonephritis with prostatitis, cystitis and gonorrhea, as well as urethritis with vulvovaginitis and endometritis);
• purulent lesions of tissues and skin (furunculosis with phlegmon, abscess with pyoderma and lymphadenitis);
• osteomyelitis.

Release form

It is produced in tablets of 0.25 g and capsules of 0.25 and 0.5 g. It is also produced in granules (volume 0.25 g) for suspensions - 5 ml per bottle.

Cephalexin alkaloid

Cephalexin alkaloid is produced in powder form - in 65.4 g bottles. Inside the package is 1 bottle with powder and a measuring spoon.

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Pharmacodynamics

Cephalexin disrupts the binding processes inside the walls of bacterial cells, causing them to die. It has an effect on Proteus, Streptococcus with Klebsiella and Escherichia. It demonstrates lower activity against Shigella, Gonococcus, Salmonella and Meningococcus, which is why it is not used to treat diseases caused by these bacteria.

The drug is inactive against Proteus vulgaris, faecal enterococci, clostridia, Morgan's bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci are also resistant to the drug.

The drug is destroyed by β-lactamases produced by gram-negative microbes.

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Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, it is well absorbed, demonstrating a bioavailability index of 90-95%. Peak values in the blood are noted after 1 hour, and the medicinally effective level is maintained for 4-6 hours. The drug is synthesized with blood protein by 10-15%.

It undergoes a process of uniform distribution within most fluids with tissues. At the same time, it penetrates poorly through the BBB, but is able to pass the placental barrier. It is not subject to metabolic processes.

Half-life is about 0.8-1.2 hours. Approximately 89% of the substance is excreted in urine, and a small portion of the drug is excreted in bile. In individuals with kidney disorders, the excretion period is prolonged and drug indicators are increased.

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Dosing and administration

For children under 10 years of age, oral administration of the suspension is prescribed. The content of cephalexin inside 1 ml of the finished medicinal suspension is 50 mg. 5 ml of the drug contains 250 mg of the substance.

Approximate children's portion sizes:

• under 1 year: 2.5 ml of medicinal suspension, take 3-4 times a day;
• children aged 1-3 years: 5 ml, three times a day;
• children aged 3-6 years: 7.5 ml, three times a day;
• children aged 6-10 years: 10 ml, three times a day;
• Children aged 10-14 years: 10 ml three times a day.

In each individual situation, the doctor must determine the frequency of taking the dosage and its size individually, taking into account the type of pathology and its severity. Sometimes (with mild forms of infections in the urinary system or skin, as well as with pharyngitis) it is allowed to divide the portion into 2 uses, but with severe stages of diseases, the medicine can be taken up to 6 times a day. It is recommended to take the drug for another 2-3 days after the condition improves.

To prepare the medicinal suspension, add water to the bottle (up to the mark indicated on it), then shake it. The prepared suspension can be stored for up to 14 days at room temperature. It is necessary to shake the medicine thoroughly before each new dose.

Capsules or tablets should be taken orally before meals (half an hour before). The average serving size for an adult is 0.25-0.5 g, taken every 6 hours, four times a day. In this case, the total daily dosage will be 1-2 g (minimum). If necessary, it is allowed to increase the dose to 4 g (the maximum permissible average dosage for adults and children from 6 years of age). The entire course of treatment lasts for 1-2 weeks.

If the patient has problems with kidney function, the maximum daily dose is 1.5 g, which should be divided into 2-4 doses.

During therapy, a false positive reaction in urine glucose testing may occur.

It is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages during treatment.

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Use Cephalexin during pregnancy

It is prohibited to prescribe Cephalexin to pregnant women.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of hypersensitivity to the drug;
• lactation period;
• lack of sucrase in the body;
• fructose malabsorption.

Caution is required when used in cases of renal failure, pseudomembranous colitis, and in infants under six months of age (suspension).

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Side effects Cephalexin

The use of the drug may cause the occurrence of certain side effects:

• urticaria and rashes, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and angioedema;
• loss of appetite and abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea;
• increased activity of liver transaminases and cholestasis;
• oral or intestinal candidiasis, as well as colitis;
• headaches, a feeling of agitation, convulsions and hallucinations, as well as dizziness;
• vaginitis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, thrush, itching in the genital area;
• arthralgia;
• thrombocytopenia or leukopenia.

Overdose

Poisoning with the drug causes symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and the appearance of blood in the urine.

To eliminate disorders, it is necessary to give the patient activated charcoal, and also monitor the functioning of systems and organs, and electrolyte balance indicators.

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Interactions with other drugs

Cephalexin potentiates the properties of indirect anticoagulants.

Due to the combination of drugs with phenylbutazone, polymyxins, furosemide, as well as ethacrynic acid and aminoglycosides, the likelihood of developing renal disorders increases.

Use with metformin requires a change in its dosage during the period of combined use.

Indomethacin and salicylates inhibit the excretion of the active element of Cephalexin.

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Storage conditions

Cephalexin is kept in standard conditions for medicines. Temperature marks are not higher than 25°C.

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Shelf life

Cephalexin is allowed to be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

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Reviews

Cephalexin has an active effect against streptococci and staphylococci, which allows it to be used to treat cystitis, sinusitis, pyelonephritis, pyothorax, skin infections, as well as otitis and pulmonary inflammation.

Reviews indicate that the drug is often used to eliminate infections inside the urinary system that cannot be cured using standard therapeutic methods (for example, recurrent cystitis). The drug was prescribed to people treated in hospital, after cystoscopy procedures or the use of a catheter, and also to people with diabetes.

Reviews also show that children were often prescribed the suspension for sore throat, otitis, or suspected pneumonia. Thanks to the pleasant fruity smell of the suspension, children take it without complaints. Parents often note that the medicine effectively helps children - the drug is well tolerated and helps speed up recovery.

In some patients, bowel disorders were occasionally observed (this effect is associated with the fact that the antibiotic affects the intestinal microflora), as well as nausea.