What is cephalexin?

The medicine cephalexin is an antibiotic

Drug class

β-lactam antibiotic

Cephalosporin

Finished preparations

Cephalex-CT ®

cephalexin-ratiopharm ®

Rilexine ®

Effect

cephalexin is one of the cephalosporin antibiotics of the first Generation (base-cephalosporins), and inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins (transpeptidases). The substances of this generation bactericidal for aerobic gram-positive bacteria. The activity against Gram-negative bacteria and the β-lactamase stability, in contrast to the other generations is weak.

Mechanism of action

General information about the mechanism of action of cephalosporins can be found here.

cephalexin is a bactericidal cephalosporin antibiotic in the first Generation for oral use (acid-stable) with moderately broad spectrum of activity and low stability against plasmid-encoded lactamases, extended spectrum lactamases, and chromosomally encoded AmpC-lactamases type.

The substance can be classified into the group of older oral cephalosporins. These substances are characterized by an amino group in the side chain at C7. Older oral cephalosporins for life threatening infections are not considered.

Contraindications (contraindications)

The following are absolute Gegenanzeiegn (situations in which the drug should be administered in any case) and relative contraindications (situations in which the drug should be administered with caution) listed. For more information or answers to your questions please use the forum or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Absolute contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to cephalexin and other cephalosporins

Relative contraindications

- Allergy to other beta-lactam antibiotics (eg penicillins, possibility of parallel reaction)

- Allergic reactivity (allergic rhinitis, asthma)

- Severe renal impairment (glomerular filtration rate <30 ml / min)

- Pregnancy, v. a. 1 Trimester

- Breast-feeding

Side effects (adverse reactions)

This is a complete list of the known side effects, for more information or answers to your questions please use the forum or ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Adverse effects, without specifying the frequency

- Reversible effects on the blood picture as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia

- Allergic reactions manifesting as rash, itching, angioneurotic edema, joint swelling, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Lyell's syndrome

- Slight, temporary increase in SGOT, SGPT, transient hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice

- Interstitial nephritis

- Gastrointestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bloating, general abdominal discomfort (usually mild, often reversible during or otherwise after discontinuation of therapy)

- Confusion, headache, dizziness, fatigue

Very common adverse reactions (> 1 / 10)

- Allergic reactions (in pre-penicillin allergy)

Common adverse reactions (> 1 / 100)

- Allergic reactions (in the absence of penicillin allergy)