General Information on Keflex
Keflex is used to treat certain bacterial infections, which include ear infections, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. The medication should be only used to treat infections that are caused by bacteria.
Cephalexin, the main active ingredient in the medication belongs to a family of drugs known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by interfering with formation of bacterial cell wall. This action causes the bacterial cell to rupture that leads to death of bacterium.
Keflex is available in the form of a capsule. It is supplied in four different strengths which include 250 mg, 333 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg of Cephalexin. You may buy Keflex to treat bacterial infections. However consult your doctor before using this antibiotic as it may cause severe side effects in some cases.
Side effects of Keflex
You should not use Keflex if you are hypersensitive to Cephalexin or to other Cephalosporin antibiotics. People with medical problems such as liver disease, kidney disease, intestinal disorder or diabetes should exercise caution regarding use of this drug.
Keflex may cause mild to serious side effects in some patients. Joint pain, vomiting, dizziness, mild nausea, tired feeling, diarrhea, and vaginal itching and discharge are some mild side effects associated with the drug. These side effects generally wane with time as your body gets used to the drug. If any side effects become bothersome or persist, consult your doctor immediately.
Some people may also experience severe side effects after taking a dose of Keflex. Watery or bloody diarrhea, sore throat, seizures, pale or yellowed skin, easy bruising/bleeding, no urination or urinating less than usual, confusion fever, red skin rash, peeling of the skin and unusual weakness are some serious side effects associated with the drug.
Hallucinations, agitation, headache with severe blistering, dark colored urine are also serious side effects associated with Keflex. This is not a complete list of side effects. Stop using the medication and consult your doctor immediately if you notice or experience severe side effects after using the medication.
It is not necessary that every person using this medication will experience some side effects. Many people using this medication do not complain about any side effects.
Dosage of Keflex
Your doctor will give specific instructions regarding the dosage. The dosage of the medication depends on several factors such as medical condition that is being treated, patient’s age, other medical condition patient has and other medicines patient is using.
Take the capsule with a glass of water. You can take the medication with or without food. Complete the course of treatment recommended by doctor. Do not stop taking Keflex before completion of the treatment.
The recommended dosage for adults in treatment of majority of the bacterial infections is in the range of 250mg to 1000mg, 4 times daily for 7 to 14 days.
Interactions
If you are taking other medicines along with Keflex, then there is a possibility that Keflex may interact with them and cause side effects. It may interact with blood thinner medicines such as Warfarin, Metformin (Glucophage, Metaglip, Fortamet, Avandamet, Riomet, Actoplus), or Probenecid.
Before starting the treatment, tell your doctor about every medicine you are using. Tell him/her about prescription medications, over the counter medicines, and herbal supplements before you buy Keflex
