Generic Keflex

Keflex, which is generically prescribed as cephalexin, is commonly used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Infections such as skin infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections and upper respiratory infections have been proven to effectively be treated by Keflex. Keflex is a member of the antibiotic family known as cephalosporin antibiotics. Antibiotics should be taken for the entire length of time prescribed by the physician in order to effectively treat the infection.

Keflex may not be well tolerated by all patients and a thorough medical history is recommended prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with diabetes should not be prescribed the suspension form of Keflex as it contains sugar which can affect a diabetic. Patients with a medical history which includes malnutrition, colitis or other intestinal disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes may require careful monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with this medication if it can be tolerated at all, depending on the condition as well as the severity of the condition.

Keflex has receive a pregnancy risk rating category B from the American Food and Drug Administration, which means that Keflex is not expected to cause harm or birth defects in an unborn fetus. Keflex has however, been proven to pass through the mother’s breast milk and can cause harm to a nursing baby. The prescribing physician should thoroughly discuss the benefits and risks prior to prescribing this medication to women who are pregnant, nursing, or who may become pregnant.

Side effects are commonly associated with taking Keflex and other antibiotics, although some side effects can be serious. Severe side effects or allergic reactions require the patient to receive emergency medical treatment at the nearest hospital. Allergic reactions are obvious reactions the body has and includes swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, hives, and difficulty breathing. Other severe side effects are likely to include symptoms such as fever with sore throat and a blistering or peeling skin rash, diarrhea which is bloody or watery, convulsions, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, pale or yellow skin with fever and confusion as well as dark urine, weakness, easy bruising, unusual weakness or fatigue, and a significant decrease in the ability to produce urine.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur and may include vaginal itching, vaginal discharge, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, joint pain, feeling dizzy, or feeling tired. Less serious side effects are not harmful but reporting them to the prescribing physician may alert the physician to the need for a dosage adjustment.

Keflex should be taken exactly as it has been prescribed by the physician. In the event the patient does not receive a scheduled dose, the patient should take the dose as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, the patient should simply skip the missed dose and take the following dose on time. It is not recommended that doses are taken too closely together or that patients double up on their medication after skipping a dose as this may result in an overdose. An overdose requires immediate emergency medical attention and should be considered a medical emergency as the patient is likely to experience blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, and diarrhea.

Keflex may interact with other medications. Patients should never take any additional medications, including over the counter medications and herbal remedies, without first consulting the prescribing physician or pharmacist. Medications with known interactions with Keflex include blood thinners, probenecid, and meftormin. Patients taking other cephalosporin antibiotics can not take additional cephalosporin antibiotics as this is likely to result in an overdose. Additional antibiotics should be avoided entirely.