Cephalexin

Cefalexin is indicated in the treatment of the following infections:

Respiratory tract infections; bone and joint infections; genito urinary infections, including acute prostatitis and dental infections.

Cefalexin is active against the following organisms:

Beta-haemolytic streptococci; staphylococci, including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative and penicillinase- producing strains; streptococcus pneumoniae; escherichia coli; proteus mirabilis; klebsiella species, haemophilus influenzae; branhamella catarrhalis.

Most strains of enterococci (streptococcus faecalis) and a few strains of staphylococci are resistant to cefalexin. Cefalexin is not active against most strains of enterobacter species, morganella morganii, pseudomonas or herellea species.

When tested by in vitro methods, staphylococci exhibit cross-resistance between cefalexin and methicillin-type antibiotics.

Of 12,917 patients treated with cephalexin in formal clinical trials, 771(6%) reported adverse events, of which 385 (3%) were judged to be drug related(8) . 6% reacted. The incidence of reported side effects is shown in Table 1. I. 2 Other adverse reactions experienced less frequently include: glossitis/stomatitis, oral moniliasis, pruritus ani, gastroenteritis, fever, pruritus, a positive direct Coombs', allergy/anaphylaxis, intertrigo, angioedema, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, visual hallucination/diplopia, insomnia, tremor, leucorrhea, dysuria, malaise/fatigue, super infection, myalgia/back pain, nuchal swelling, dyspnea, cardiac arrhythmia and vasodilatation.

3%) had abnormal laboratory values. There was no consistent pattern of abnormality and only 2 patients were withdrawn from studies as a result of these findings. 4 Biochemical Elev. Alk Phosphatase. 2 Elev. 3 Elev. 2 Renal Elev. 1 Other abnormal values reported less frequently included: elevated creatinine, bilirubin and cholesterol; decreased platelets, hemoglobin and/or hematocrit.

5 ) To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of cephalexin and other antibacterial drugs, cephalexin should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

1 Respiratory Tract Infections Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes . 2 Otitis Media Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of otitis media caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Moraxella catarrhalis.

3 Skin and Skin Structure Infections Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible isolates of the following Gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

4 Bone Infections Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of bone infections caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. 5 Genitourinary Tract Infections Cephalexin is indicated for the treatment of genitourinary tract infections, including acute prostatitis, caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.