DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Cephalexin Suspension (SEF-a-LEX-in)
Brand Name: Keflex

Cephalexin Suspension is used for:

Treating certain bacterial infections.

Cephalexin Suspension is a cephalosporin antibiotic. It works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation. This weakens the cell wall, causing it to rupture, and kills the bacteria.

Do NOT use Cephalexin Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cephalexin Suspension or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg, cefuroxime)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cephalexin Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cephalexin Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substance
• if you have had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness) to a penicillin (eg, amoxicillin) or other beta-lactam antibiotic (eg, imipenem)
• if you have stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation), blood clotting problems, kidney or liver problems, or poor nutrition

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cephalexin Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Metformin because its actions and the risk of its side effects may be increased
• Probenecid because it may increase the actions and the risk of Cephalexin Suspension's side effects
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side effects such as bleeding may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cephalexin Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cephalexin Suspension:

Use Cephalexin Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Cephalexin Suspension by mouth with or without food.
• Shake well before each use.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Cephalexin Suspension for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Cephalexin Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cephalexin Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Cephalexin Suspension may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cephalexin Suspension with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Cephalexin Suspension may decrease the ability of your blood to clot. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Be sure to use Cephalexin Suspension for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Cephalexin Suspension only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Cephalexin Suspension may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Diabetes patients - Cephalexin Suspension may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Cephalexin Suspension may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Cephalexin Suspension.
• Use Cephalexin Suspension with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Cephalexin Suspension with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years old who have diarrhea or an infection of the stomach or bowel.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cephalexin Suspension while you are pregnant. Cephalexin Suspension is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Cephalexin Suspension, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Cephalexin Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; joint pain; stomach pain; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; confusion; dark urine; decreased urination; fever; hallucinations; red, swollen, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or blood diarrhea; severe stomach pain; severe tiredness; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual vaginal pain, odor, or discharge; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blood in the urine; muscle spasm; nausea; seizures; severe diarrhea; vomiting.

Proper storage of Cephalexin Suspension:

Store Cephalexin Suspension in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Cephalexin Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets. Throw away any unused medicine after 14 days.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cephalexin Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cephalexin Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cephalexin Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.