Cephalexin Oral Capsule

• Allergy to β-lactam medications warning: If you’re allergic to β-lactam medications, many of which are antibiotics, you shouldn’t take this drug. You could have a serious allergic reaction.
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea warning: The use of almost all antibiotics, including cephalexin, can cause a reaction that leads to diarrhea. In addition to diarrhea, this reaction can cause severe inflammation of your colon. Severe cases of this reaction can be fatal (cause death). Call your doctor if you have diarrhea while taking or after taking this drug.

Cephalexin oral capsule doesn’t cause drowsiness. However, it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of cephalexin oral capsule include:

• diarrhea
• indigestion
• irritation or inflammation of your stomach lining
• stomach pain

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
  • hives
  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

This dosage information is for cephalexin oral capsule. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Brand: Keflex

• Form: Oral capsule
• Strengths: 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg

Generic: cephalexin

• Form: Oral capsule
• Strengths: 250 mg, 500 mg

Dosage for respiratory tract infection

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

25–50 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for otitis media (middle ear infection)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

75–100 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in 4 divided doses.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for skin and skin structure infection

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours or 500 mg taken every 12 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours or 500 mg taken every 12 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

25–50 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for bone infections

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

25–50 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for genitourinary (urinary tract) infection

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have uncomplicated cystitis, you may be given 500 mg every 12 hours. Your doctor may give you a larger dose if you have a severe infection.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours. If you have uncomplicated cystitis, you may be given 500 mg every 12 hours. Your doctor may give you a larger dose if you have a severe infection.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

25–50 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for pharyngitis (sore throat)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours or 500 mg taken every 12 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

1–4 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours or 500 mg taken every 12 hours. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

25–50 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Dosage for endocarditis prevention

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

2 grams taken 30–60 minutes before your procedure

Child dosage (ages 15–17 years)

2 grams taken 30–60 minutes before your procedure

Child dosage (ages 1–14 years)

50 mg/kg of body weight taken 30–60 minutes before your procedure. The total child’s dose shouldn’t be higher than the adult dosage.

Child dosage (ages 0–1 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Special considerations

People with kidney problems:

• People with a creatinine clearance (CrCL) of 10–50 mL/min: 500 mg taken every 8–12 hours
• People with a CrCL of less than 10 mL/min: 250–500 mg taken every 12–24 hours
• People receiving hemodialysis: 250 mg taken every 12–24 hours after each dialysis session

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes cephalexin oral capsule for you.

General

You can take cephalexin with or without food.

Storage

• Store the capsules between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
• Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

• Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
• Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
• You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
• Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor may do blood tests to check how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may lower your dose of this drug.