Pharm

Cephalexin

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Cephalexin, Keflex

  • Indications
  • 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
  • References
  1. (2012) Presc Lett, Resource #280706, Comparison of Cephalosporins
  2. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia