Cefalexin
Clinical data | |
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Pronunciation | /ˌsɛfəˈlɛksɪn/ |
Trade names | Keflex, Ceporex, others[1] |
Other names | cephalexin (BAN UK), cephalexin (USAN US) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682733 |
License data |
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Pregnancy category |
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QJ51DB01 (WHO) | |
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Well absorbed |
Protein binding | 15% |
Metabolism | 80% excreted unchanged in urine within 6 hours of administration |
Elimination half-life | 0.6–1.2 hours[3] |
Excretion | Kidney |
Identifiers | |
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JSmol) | |
Melting point | 326.8 °C (620.2 °F) |
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Cefalexin, also spelled cephalexin, is an
Cefalexin can treat certain bacterial infections, including those of the
Common
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
Cefalexin can treat a number of bacterial infections including
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.
Adverse effects
The most common adverse effects of cefalexin, like other oral cephalosporins, are gastrointestinal (stomach area) disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions. Gastrointestinal disturbances include
Signs and symptoms of an
Interactions
Like other
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
Cefalexin is a β-lactam antibiotic of the cephalosporin family.
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
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
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
- ^ ISBN 9780815518563. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.
- ^ "Cephalexin Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. 28 December 2018. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ISBN 978-0071624428.
- ^ a b "Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database". Australian Government. 3 March 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ ISBN 9781136178153. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.
- ISBN 9780470750353. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.>
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ISBN 9783527326693. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.
- ISBN 9781118432433. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.
- ^ hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.
- ^ "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Cephalexin - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ISBN 9781742493053. Archivedfrom the original on 8 September 2017.
- ^ "FDA Cephalexin drug label" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "Cephalexin Side Effects". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Cefalexin". NHS. Crown. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ISBN 978-3-85200-196-8.
- ^ "Cephalexin (Oral Route)". Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- PMID 1941538.
- S2CID 26919498.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4987-4796-7. Archivedfrom the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ISBN 8185790043. Archivedfrom the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
- ^ PMID 15700950.
- PMID 20065329.
- ^ 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.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-323-17297-4. Archivedfrom the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ISBN 9789241515528. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ "Cephalexin [USAN:BAN]". ChemIDplus. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Cefalexin International". Drugs.com. 3 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
- ^ "Cephalexin (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names". May Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Gollakner R. "Cephalexin". VCA Animal Hospitals. Affiliate of Mars Inc. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Cephalexin". Plumb's Veterinary Drugs. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.