Cefalexin

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Cephalexin
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Cefalexin
Clinical data
Pronunciation/ˌsɛfəˈlɛksɪn/
Trade namesKeflex, Ceporex, others[1]
Other namescephalexin (BAN UK), cephalexin (USAN US)
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
MedlinePlusa682733
License data
Pregnancy
category
QJ51DB01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityWell absorbed
Protein binding15%
Metabolism80% excreted unchanged in urine within 6 hours of administration
Elimination half-life0.6–1.2 hours[3]
ExcretionKidney
Identifiers
  • (7R)-3-methyl-7-(α-D-phenylglycylamino)-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate
JSmol)
Melting point326.8 °C (620.2 °F)
  • O=C2N1/C(=C(\CS[C@@H]1[C@@H]2NC(=O)[C@@H](c3ccccc3)N)C)C(=O)O
  • InChI=1S/C16H17N3O4S/c1-8-7-24-15-11(14(21)19(15)12(8)16(22)23)18-13(20)10(17)9-5-3-2-4-6-9/h2-6,10-11,15H,7,17H2,1H3,(H,18,20)(H,22,23)/t10-,11-,15-/m1/s1 checkY
  • Key:ZAIPMKNFIOOWCQ-UEKVPHQBSA-N checkY
  (verify)

Cefalexin, also spelled cephalexin, is an

β-lactam antibiotic within the class of first-generation cephalosporins.[4] It works similarly to other agents within this class, including intravenous cefazolin, but can be taken by mouth.[5]

Cefalexin can treat certain bacterial infections, including those of the

viral infections, such as the flu, common cold or acute bronchitis.[4] Cefalexin can be used in those who have mild or moderate allergies to penicillin.[4] However, it is not recommended in those with severe penicillin allergies.[4]

Common

kidney problems may require a decrease in dose.[4]

Cefalexin was developed in 1967.[8][9][10] It was first marketed in 1969 and 1970 under the names Keflex and Ceporex, among others.[1][11] Generic drug versions are available under other trade names and are inexpensive.[4][12] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[13][14] In 2021, it was the 96th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 7 million prescriptions.[15][16] In Canada, it was the fifth most common antibiotic used in 2013.[17] In Australia, it is one of the top 15 most prescribed medications.[18]

Medical uses

A course of cefalexin capsules, commonly prescribed for infections

Cefalexin can treat a number of bacterial infections including

bacterial endocarditis.[4] It can also be used for the prevention of recurrent urinary-tract infections.[4]

Cefalexin does not treat

Cefalexin is a useful alternative to penicillins in patients with penicillin intolerance. For example, penicillin is the treatment of choice for respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus, but cefalexin may be used as an alternative in penicillin-intolerant patients.[4] Caution must be exercised when administering cephalosporin antibiotics to penicillin-sensitive patients, because cross-sensitivity with β-lactam antibiotics has been documented in up to 10% of patients with a documented penicillin allergy.[19]

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is category A in Australia meaning that no evidence of harm has been found after being taken by many pregnant women.

breast feeding is generally safe.[7]

Adverse effects

The most common adverse effects of cefalexin, like other oral cephalosporins, are gastrointestinal (stomach area) disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions. Gastrointestinal disturbances include

Clostridium difficile have been reported with use of cefalexin.[4] Less common and more serious side effects include bruising of the skin and yellowing of the skin or eye whites.[21]

Signs and symptoms of an

allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, or red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin. Overall, cefalexin allergy occurs in less than 0.1% of patients[citation needed]. Evidence suggests that it is seen in 1% to 10% of patients with a penicillin allergy.[22]

Interactions

Like other

absorption and altering its antimicrobial pharmacodynamics.[26] Zinc and zinc supplements also interact with cefalexin and may reduce the amount of cefalexin in the body.[21]

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Cefalexin is a β-lactam antibiotic of the cephalosporin family.

β-lactamase, which hydrolyzes the β-lactam ring, rendering the drug inactive. This contributes to antibacterial resistance towards cefalexin.[29]

Pharmacokinetics

Cefalexin is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with oral administration.[30] Absorption is slightly reduced when it is taken with food and the medication can be taken without regard for meals.[30] Peak levels of cefalexin occur about 1 hour after administration.[30] Maximal levels of cefalexin increase approximately linearly over a dose range of 250 to 1,000 mg.[30]

Like most other cephalosporins, cefalexin is not metabolized or otherwise inactivated in the body.[26][31]

The

elimination half-life of cefalexin is approximately 30 to 60 minutes in people with normal renal function.[31][30] Therapeutic levels of cefalexin with oral administration are maintained for 6 to 8 hours.[30] For this reason, cefalexin is typically administered once every 6 to 12 hours depending on the indication.[30] More than 90% of cefalexin is excreted unchanged in the urine within 8 hours.[30]

Society and culture

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[13][14] The World Health Organization classifies cefalexin as highly important for human medicine.[32]

Names

Cefalexin is the

International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and the Australian Approved Name (AAN), while cephalexin is the British Approved Name (BAN) and the United States Adopted Name (USAN).[33] Brand names for cefalexin include Keflex, Acfex, Cephalex, Ceporex, L-Xahl, Medoxine, Ospexin, Torlasporin, Bio-Cef, Panixine DisperDose, and Novo-Lexin.[34][35]

Veterinary uses

Dogs

According to Plumb's Veterinary Medication Guides, cefalexin can be used in treating skin, respiratory tract, and urinary tract infections. Specifically, it can be used to treat pyoderma in dogs.[36] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in humans and dogs but not for other species. Like other drugs approved for human use, cefalexin may be prescribed by veterinarians for animals in certain situations.[37][failed verification]

References

  1. ^ from the original on 8 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Cephalexin Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  3. ^ McEvoy, G.K. (ed.). American Hospital Formulary Service — Drug Information 95. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, Inc., 1995 (Plus Supplements 1995)., p. 166
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Cephalexin". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  5. .
  6. ^ a b "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database". Australian Government. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  7. ^ from the original on 8 September 2017.
  8. from the original on 8 September 2017.>
  9. ^ US patent 3275626, Morin RB, Jackson BG, "Penicillin conversion via sulfoxide", published 1966-09-27, issued 1966-09-27, assigned to Eli Lilly and Co  "Espacenet - Bibliographic data". Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  10. ^ US patent 3507861, Morin RB, Jackson BG, "Certain 3-methyl-cephalosporin compounds", published 1970-04-21, issued 1970-04-21, assigned to Eli Lilly and Co  "Espacenet - Bibliographic data". Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  11. from the original on 8 September 2017.
  12. from the original on 8 September 2017.
  13. ^ . WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  14. ^ . WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
  15. ^ "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Cephalexin - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Human Antimicrobial Drug Use Report 2012/2013" (PDF). Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). November 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  18. from the original on 8 September 2017.
  19. ^ "FDA Cephalexin drug label" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  20. ^ "Cephalexin Side Effects". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  21. ^ a b "Cefalexin". NHS. Crown. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  22. .
  23. ^ "Cephalexin (Oral Route)". Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  24. PMID 1941538
    .
  25. .
  26. ^ from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  27. from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  28. ^ .
  29. .
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h "Cefalexin 500mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SMPC) - (Emc)". Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  31. ^ from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  32. . License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
  33. ^ "Cephalexin [USAN:BAN]". ChemIDplus. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  34. ^ "Cefalexin International". Drugs.com. 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Cephalexin (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names". May Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  36. ^ Gollakner R. "Cephalexin". VCA Animal Hospitals. Affiliate of Mars Inc. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  37. ^ "Cephalexin". Plumb's Veterinary Drugs. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.