Cefalexin

May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Hypersensitivity to cefalexin and other cephalosporins.

Patient with history of penicillin allergy, history of gastrointestinal disease (particularly colitis), poor nutritional state, history of seizure disorder. Renal and hepatic impairment. Children. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Perform culture and susceptibility tests; consult local institutional recommendations before treatment initiation due to antibiotic resistance risks. Monitor renal, hepatic, and haematologic functions periodically (prolonged therapy); signs of anaphylaxis during 1st dose.

Significant: Acute intravascular haemolysis, prolonged prothrombin time; overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms (prolonged use), increased risk of seizures (high dose, particularly in patients with renal impairment). Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Eosinophilia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia. Gastrointestinal disorders: Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, gastritis, anal pruritus. Rarely, nausea, vomiting. General disorders and administration site conditions: Fatigue, fever. Hepatobiliary disorders: Rarely, transient hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice. Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. rash, urticaria). Investigations: Slight elevations in AST and ALT. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Arthralgia, arthritis, joint disorder, hypertonia. Nervous system disorders: Dizziness, headache. Psychiatric disorders: Agitation, confusion, hallucinations, nervousness, restlessness, sleep disturbance, hyperactivity. Renal and urinary disorders: Reversible interstitial nephritis. Reproductive system and breast disorders: Genital pruritus, genital candidiasis, vaginitis, vaginal discharge.
Potentially Fatal: Serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and severe cutaneous adverse reactions (e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms); Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), pseudomembranous colitis.

Reduced excretion with probenecid. Increased risk of nephrotoxicity with amphotericin B, loop diuretics, aminoglycosides, or vancomycin. Concomitant use with oral anticoagulants may prolong prothrombin time. May reduce the effects of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. May increase metformin plasma concentrations.

Cephalosporins

J01DB01 - cefalexin ; Belongs to the class of first-generation cephalosporins. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.