Get Informed: Cephalexin
Active Ingredient(s)
Cephalexin
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections. It works by inhibiting the reproduction process of the bacteria.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-17 6:54 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-17 9:01 PM
Other Names
- Cephalexin
- Keflex
- L-Keflex
- Kefalex
- Cephalex
- Celex
- Cefalexin
- Omaceph
- Ceporex
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 04 Jan 1971
- Est US Patients*
- 339,300
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Cephalexin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Cephalexin
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Cephalexin during the past year.
Cephalexin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Cephalexin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 2,200 patients that use Cephalexin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Infection | 71% | 
|
| Urinary Tract Infection | 29% | 
|
How well does Cephalexin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 2,200 users taking Cephalexin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 100%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Cephalexin outweigh the bad things.
- 14%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Cephalexin.
Global Patient Feedback for Cephalexin ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I see most are taking this for skin issues... i was just prescribed this for 10 days for a possible tooth infection... does that make sense ???
35 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-03 03:43:41
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Cephalexin covers a variety of bacteria, and it makes sense that you would take it for a tooth infection. It is related to penicillin, which is commonly prescribed for dental issues.
Posted: 2010-03-05 11:20:34
Question/Comment:
I had a neurotoxic rxn to cephalexin in 2006 for an ear infection. Within 2 hours of taking it, I had terrible disorientation, agitation, vision abnormalities, trouble speaking, inability to do simple math problems (I was tutoring calculus), extreme sensitivity to light and noise. We thought I was just tired. The symptoms worsened for three days. I was taken off the med, but it took 2 years to recover fully. I learned that some people lack or have a faulty enzyme for cephalexin.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-05 00:12:02
Question/Comment:
I started this medication for skin infection on october. for 5 days. it didn't help me much and then my doctor prescribe me a cream and antibiotic cream and that didn't help. my doctor contact me today and said he will prescribe to me again to see if it will get better if not i will go back to see my doctor. I hate it. i wish it will go away soon.
25 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-31 00:05:09
Question/Comment:
DIARRHEA times ten. Couldn't leave home. Bad for a ''just in case'' you got an infection.
75 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-23 16:23:41
Question/Comment:
First time I was prescribed this for a putative skin infection (I was actually misdiagnosed - my problem was a venomous spider bite, NOT a skin infection) I had a generalized allergic skin reaction of INTENSE itching all over my body and a diffuse red rash similar to sunburn. I had to scratch with a hairbrush - and get off this drug asap!
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-05-03 16:40:50
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Cephalexin