Cephalexin (Keflex)

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

Therapeutic actions:
Keflex inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which in turn inhibits the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in bacterial cell walls, thus inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Bacteria eventually lyse due to ongoing activity of cell wall autolytic enzymes (autolysins and murein hydrolases) while cell wall assembly is arrested.

What is it used for?:
• Respiratory tract infections;
• Otitis media;
• Skin and skin structure infections;
• Bone infections;
• Genitourinary tract infections, including acute prostatitis;
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Keflex and other antibacterial drugs, Keflex should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Contraindications and cautions:
• Allergy to any ingredient in Keflex or any other cephalosporin antibiotic (eg. cefuroxime);
Keflex should be taken cautiously if you have:
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• a stomach or intestinal disorder such as colitis;
• diabetes; or
• if you are malnourished.

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

Interactions:
• Keflex may increase etformin’s actions and the risks of its side effects;
• the actions and the risk of Keflex 's side effects may be increased by Probenecid;
• the risk of side effects such as bleeding may be increased by anticoagulants (eg. warfarin);