Cephalexin
- Atc Codes:J01DB01
- CAS Codes:23325-78-2#15686-71-2
- PHARMGKB ID:23325-78-2#15686-71-2
Table of contents
- Brand Names
- Drug Combinations
- Chemistry
- Pharmacologic Category
- Mechanism of Action
- Therapeutic Use
- Pregnancy and Lactation Implications
- Contraindications
- Warnings and Precautions
- Adverse Reactions
- Caution and personalized dose adjustment in patients with the following genotypes
- Other genes that may be involved
- Drug Interactions
- Nutrition/Nutraceutical Interactions
- Dosage
- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- Special Considerations
Brand Names
Europe
Austria: Cephalobene, Keflex, Ospexin, Sanaxin; Belgium: Keforal; Bulgaria: Cefalexin, Ospexin; Cyprus: Cefaxin, Cefrax, Felexin, Keflex, Medolexin, Syntolexin; Czech Republic: Sporidex; Denmark: Keflex; Finland: Kefalex, Kefexin; France: Cefacet, Keforal; Germany: Cefalexin, Cefazid, Cephacare, Cephalex, Cephalexin, Cobaxim, Rilexine; Hungary: Effixent, Pyassan; Ireland: Cefalexin, Keflex; Italy: Cefalexin, Ceporex, Keforal; Latvia: Cefalexin; Malta: Ceporex, Medolexin, Keflex; Netherlands: Keforal; Poland: Cefaleksyma, Cefalexin, Keflex, Zecef; Romania: Cefalexin, Cefalexina, Keflex, Ospexin, Sporidex; Slovakia: Ospexin; Slovenia: Cefaleksyn; Spain: Cefalexgovens, Kefloridina Forte; Sweden: Cefalexin, Keflex; UK: Keflex.
North America
Canada: Apo Cephalex, Cephalexin, Keflex, Novo-Lexin, Nu-Cephalex; USA: Cephalexin, Keflex, Panixine Disperdose.
Latin America
Argentina: Beliam, Butefina, Cefagrand, Cefalexina, Cefasporina, Cefosporén, Ceporexín, Fabotop, Keforal, Lafexina, Lars, Lorbicefax, Permvastat, Sanibiotic, Septilisín, Trexina, Triblix, Velexina; Brazil: Cefagel, Cefagran, Cefalexina, Cefanal, Cefaxon, Cefexina, Celen AF, Celexin, Keflex, Neo Ceflex, Neoceflex, Primacef, Profalexina, Uni Cefalexin, Valflex-Cefalexina; Mexico: Ancetev, Arlexen, Capxin, Cefalexina, Cefalver, Ceporex, Facelit, Flextinol, Keflex, Nafacil, Naxifelar, Nixelaf-C, Optocef, Paferxin, Quimosporina, Servicef, Sporicef.
Asia
Japan: Cefalexin, Cephalex SR, Keflex, Larixin, L-Pashibidol, L-Rasporidin, L-Xahl, Sencephalin, Syncl.
Drug combinations
Cephalexin and Kanamycin
Chemistry
Cephalexin: C~16~H~17~N~3~O~4~S H~2~O. Mw: 365.40. (1) 5-Thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7-[(aminophenylacetyl)amino]-3-methyl-8-oxo-, monohydrate [6R-[6α,7β(R*)]]-; (2)(6R,7R)-7-[(R)-2-Amino-2-phenylacetamido]-3-methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid monohydrate; (3) 7-(D-α-Amino-α-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid monohydrate. CAS-23325-78-2; CAS-15686-71-2 (anhydrous)(1967).
Pharmacologic Category
Antibacterials; First Generation Cephalosporins. (ATC-Code: J01DB01).
Mechanism of action
Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins. Active in vitro and in clinical infections against Gram-positive aerobic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis (including penicillinase-producing strains), Streptococcus pyogenes (group A β-hemolytic streptococci), and S. pneumoniae. Oxacillin-resistant (methicillin-resistant) staphylococci and most enterococci are resistant. Active in vitro and in clinical infections against Gram-negative aerobic bacteria such Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. Inactive against Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Morganella morganii, Providencia, Pseudomonas, and Serratia. Inactive against anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Therapeutic use
Susceptible bacterial infections including respiratory tract infections, otitis media, skin and skin structure infections, bone infections, and genitourinary tract infections, including acute prostatitis. Alternative therapy for acute infective endocarditis prophylaxis.
Pregnancy and lactiation implications
Increased risk of teratogenic effects not observed following maternal use of cephalexin. Adequate studies not completed in pregnant women. Small amounts enter breast milk (use caution).
Unlabeled use
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to cephalexin, any component of the formulation, or other cephalosporins.
Warnings and precautions
May be associated with increased INR, especially in nutritionally-deficient patients, prolonged treatment, hepatic or renal disease. Use with caution in history of penicillin allergy, especially IgE-mediated reactions (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria). Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Use with caution in renal impairment.