Cephalexin

Cefalexin is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for oral administration. Cefalexin is indicated in the treatment of the following infections due to susceptible micro organisms: Respiratory tract infections Otitis media Skin and soft tissue infections Bone and joint infections Genito urinary tract infections, including acute prostatitis Dental infections

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 There was no consistent pattern of abnormality and only 2 patients were withdrawn from studies as a result of these findings. 4 Biochemical Elev.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 capsules and other antibacterial drugs, cephalexin capsules should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

1 Respiratory Tract Infections Cephalexin capsules are indicated for the treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. 2 Otitis Media Cephalexin capsules are 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 capsules are 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 .