Pharm

Cephalexin

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Cephalexin, Keflex

  • See Also
  1. First Generation Cephalosporin
  2. Cefazolin
  3. Cefadroxil
  4. Cephalosporin
  • Indications
  1. See First Generation Cephalosporin
  2. Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
  3. Streptococcal Pharyngitis
  4. Simple Urinary Tract Infections (Acute Cystitis)
  5. Not indicated for Otitis Media (inadequate coverage due to resistance)
  • Medications
  1. Capsule
    1. Strengths: 250,500,750 mg (generics available)
  2. Tablet
    1. Strengths: 250,500 mg (generics available)
  3. Oral Suspension
    1. Strengths: 125,250 mg/5ml (generics available)
  • Dosing
  • Higher Dose (GFR >60 ml/min)
  1. Indications
    1. Pneumonia
    2. Genitourinary Infection
    3. Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
  2. Dose
    1. Adults (age >15 years): 250-500 mg orally four times daily (max 4 g/day)
    2. Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day (max 100 mg/kg/day) divided four times daily
  • Dosing
  • Lower Dose (GFR >60 ml/min)
  1. Indications
    1. Simple Urinary Tract Infection (treat for 5-7 days)
    2. Streptococcal Pharyngitis (treat for 10 days)
  2. Dose
    1. Adults (age >15 years): 500 mg orally twice daily
    2. Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day (max 100 mg/kg/day) divided twice daily
  • Dosing
  • Renal
  1. CrCl 30-60 ml/min
    1. Adults: 250 mg orally 3-4 times daily (maximum 1000 mg/day)
  2. CrCl 15-30 ml/min
    1. Adults: 250 mg orally 2-3 times daily (maximum 750 mg/day)
  3. CrCl <15 ml/min
    1. Adults: 250 mg orally daily (take a second dose as needed after Dialysis)
  • Safety
  1. Pregnancy Category B (All Trimesters)
  2. Safe in Lactation
  • Pharmacokinetics
  1. Absorption: Not affected by meals
  2. Peak Activity: >1 hours
  3. Primary Elimination: Renal
  • Resources
  1. DailyMed
    1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5681d4d2-9b67-4cac-9b94-8368f9978231
    2. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2bfd2bd5-d044-4363-9dde-f63182fa2eea
  • References
  1. (2012) Presc Lett, Resource #280706, Comparison of Cephalosporins
  2. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia