Lexin

Lexin contains the active ingredient cephalexin, which is a 1st generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The medication belongs to β-lactam substances and is used in the oral treatment of pathologies with infectious etiology.

The drug is a semi-artificial element, a derivative of 7-aminocephalosporinic acid.

It demonstrates high efficiency in the treatment of various infections, the development of which is provoked by the activity of gram-positive bacteria. At the same time, the bacteriostatic effect of the drug on gram-negative microbes has a lower intensity.

Indications Lexina

It is used in cases of infections caused by microbes that are sensitive to cephalexin:

• lesions associated with the urogenital tract: urethritis or prostatitis with cystitis, endometritis, bacterial vaginitis, as well as pyelonephritis in the active or chronic phase;
• infections that occur in the area of soft tissue or epidermis: furunculosis, erysipelas, and in addition lymphadendritis, abscess or pyoderma;
• diseases affecting the ENT system: pharyngitis or sinusitis, as well as tonsillitis or otitis;
• respiratory tract lesions: pneumonia, bronchitis or tracheitis;
• infections affecting the bones: osteomyelitis.

Release form

The drug is released as an oral suspension, in 60 ml bottles. Inside the box is 1 bottle with a dosing spoon.

Also produced in capsules - 20 pieces per pack.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug has a powerful effect on bacteria that produce β-lactamases. The drug demonstrates a bactericidal effect by slowing down the processes of binding of microbial cell wall biopolymers, causing their perforation with subsequent death of the microorganism. The targets of the therapeutic effect are penicillin-synthesizing proteins that demonstrate enzymatic activity and participate in the binding of peptide glycan (the main biopolymer of the cell wall).

Lexin has a weak toxic effect on the organism of mammals and humans, because their cell walls do not contain penicillin-synthesizing proteins and peptide glycan.

Cephalexin has a bactericidal effect against a large number of microbes, including:

• Gram-positive bacteria: staphylococci (including strains that produce penicillinase), agalactiae streptococci with pyogenic streptococci, angina streptococci, pneumococci with mitis streptococci, Streptococcus equisimilis and Bacterioides melaninogenicus with diphtheria corynebacterium;
• Gram-negative microbes: Klebsiella, Salmonella, Haemophilus influenzae with Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Shigella.

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Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, the drug is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The rate of intraplasmic synthesis with protein is no more than 15%, and the Cmax level of cephalexin is recorded after 60 minutes from the moment of oral administration of the drug.

The drug undergoes high-speed intra-tissue distribution, as well as distribution with fluids. Large amounts are registered in the lungs with bones, soft tissues, intraocular fluid and synovium.

Lexin does not cross the BBB, but is able to pass through the hematoplacental barrier; small amounts of cephalexin are found in the amniotic fluid. The drug is secreted with breast milk. It is not metabolized within the body, being excreted mainly unchanged through the kidneys.

The half-life of oral administration is 50-60 minutes. Peritoneal and hemodialysis help to reduce blood levels of cephalexin.

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Dosing and administration

Use of oral suspension.

The dosages used are 0.125 g/5 ml or 0.25 g/5 ml. The medication can be administered not only to adults, but also to children, starting from birth.

To make a suspension, use boiled water for dissolution, previously cooled to room temperature. Before dissolution, turn the bottle with the powder upside down and shake it to prevent lumps from forming. Then pour a third of the powder with water, shake it, pour another third of the liquid and shake it again; then pour water until the mark on the bottle is reached, after which leave the mixture to stand for 5 minutes. It is important to remember that before each dose, the medicine should be shaken to obtain a uniform mixture.

The child is recommended to take 25-50 mg/kg of the drug per day. If the patient is in a serious condition, the dose is doubled. In the case of otitis occurring in the active phase and having a bacterial origin, the child should be administered 0.075-0.1 g/kg per day. The daily dosage is divided into 2-4 uses, performed at equal time intervals.

In case of uncomplicated infections, the therapeutic cycle lasts 7-10 days.

The prepared suspension is divided into portions using a dosing spoon; infants under 12 months of age should take 1 spoon of Lexin 125 or 0.5 spoon of Lexin 250, 3-4 times a day.

For children aged 1-3 years, take 1 spoon of the substance (0.25 g) 3 times a day.

For a child aged 3-6 years – 1.5 spoons (0.25 g), 3 times a day.

For a child over 6 years old, it is necessary to take 2 spoons (0.25 g) 3-4 times a day.

One measuring spoon of the medicine has a volume of 5 ml (in the form of a suspension).

In case of streptococcal pharyngitis, epidermal lesions and urinary tract infections (moderate), it is necessary to use 0.25 g of the drug at 6-hour intervals, or 0.5 g of the drug at 12-hour intervals. In case of severe pathology or infections with complications, the dose of Lexin is doubled.

An adult often needs to take 2-4 g of the drug per day. The daily dosage should be divided into several doses at equal time intervals.

People with kidney problems need to change the dose of the drug, taking into account the level of CC.

Introduction of 0.5 g capsules.

The medication in this form is prescribed to adolescents over 12 years of age and adults.

In case of moderate lesions (without complications), 0.5 g of the drug is often used at 6-hour intervals. This course usually lasts 7-10 days.

If the infection is severe, the daily dosage of the medication is increased to 4 g.

In case of streptococcal lesions, therapy should be continued for at least 10 days.

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Use Lexina during pregnancy

Prescribing the drug during pregnancy is allowed only under constant medical supervision and in the presence of strict indications. Cephalexin does not have a mutagenic, embryotoxic or teratogenic effect on the fetus.

Since the active substance is excreted with breast milk, the medicine is used very carefully during breastfeeding. Therefore, before starting to use it is necessary to determine the need to stop breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for use in case of severe personal sensitivity to the components of the drug or cephalosporin antibiotics.

Caution is required when used in individuals with a history of severe intolerance to penicillins, as this may provoke cross-allergy between these categories of antibiotics.

Also use with caution in cases of kidney or liver disorders.

Diabetics should take into account that Lexin oral suspension contains sucrose.

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Side effects Lexina

Among the main side effects are:

• signs associated with the gastrointestinal tract: bowel disorder, nausea, pain affecting the epigastrium, vomiting and pseudomembranous colitis. Increased activity of liver enzymes or toxic hepatitis are occasionally observed;
• disorders of hematopoiesis: thrombocyto-, neutro- or leukopenia and agranulocytosis;
• problems with the functioning of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system: disturbances in daily routine, dizziness, convulsions, headaches, apathy or strong agitation, and tremors;
• disorders affecting the urogenital tract: vaginitis (including its candidal variety) and tubulointerstitial nephritis;
• allergy symptoms: erythema, anaphylaxis, epidermal rashes, hyperemia affecting the upper body and face, as well as itching, Quincke's edema and SJS;
• other manifestations: increased values of PTT and false readings during sugar analysis.

Overdose

Poisoning with Lexin causes nausea, diarrhea, pain in the epigastric region and vomiting. Subsequent increase in the dose may lead to the appearance of signs of nervous system excitation (convulsions, as well as tremors).

There is no antidote. In case of intoxication, gastric lavage and enterosorbent use are performed. Symptomatic actions are performed. To reduce the drug indicators, peritoneal or hemodialysis is performed.

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Interactions with other drugs

When combining the drug with indirect anticoagulants, their activity is potentiated.

The medicine cannot be combined with ethyl alcohol, which is why you should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages during the period of therapy.

Lexin should not be used together with chloramphenicol and tetracyclines.

Substances that have an intense diuretic effect, as well as drugs that exhibit nephrotoxic activity, increase the nephrotoxicity of cephalexin.

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Storage conditions

Lexin must be stored in a place protected from moisture penetration. Temperature – in the range of 15-25°C.

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Shelf life

Lexin can be used for a period of 3 years from the date of manufacture of the therapeutic substance.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Ampiox, Erythromycin, Cephalexin and Doxycycline with Augmentin, as well as Poteseptil, Ospexin and Tetracycline, Biseptol and Amoxicillin with Oleandomycin phosphate, as well as Cefotaxime and Vilprafen. In addition, the list includes Oflobak, Ciprolet, Sulfadimezine and Zinnat with Benzylpenicillin sodium salt, Miramistin, Cefazolin and Amoxiclav.

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