Keflex 500mg Tablets: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions, Lecture notes of Medicine

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

KEFLEX® 500mg Film-coated Tablets

cefalexin anhydrous (as monohydrate)

The name of your medicine is Keflex 500mg Tablets,

which will be referred to as Keflex throughout this

document.

pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their

symptoms are the same as yours.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice

any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell

your doctor or pharmacist.

In this leaflet

1. What Keflex is and what it is used for

2. What you need to know before you take Keflex

3. How to take Keflex

an antibiotic.

Keflex is used to treat the following infections caused by

bacteria that can be killed by cefalexin:

 Respiratory tract (lung and airways) infections e.g.

tonsillitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis

 Middle ear infection (otitis media)

 Skin and soft tissue (e.g. muscle) infections

 Bone and joint infections

 Infections of the reproductive organs and urinary tract

(e.g. cystitis), including acute inflammation of the

cephalosporins (similar antibiotics) or any of the other

ingredients (these are listed in Section 6). An allergic

reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing

or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you

 have had an allergic reaction to cefalexin,

cephalosporins, penicillins, or other drugs in the past

 develop severe or prolonged diarrhoea during or after

Long term use of Keflex may lead to interaction with

resistant bacteria and fungi.

Other medicines and Keflex

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any

other medicines. This is especially important of the

following, as they may interact with your Keflex:

 Any other antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin, tobramycin,

cefuroxime)

 Potent diuretics e.g. furosemide (water tablets used to

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-

feeding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any

medication.

Driving and using machines

Keflex should not affect your ability to drive or use

machines.

Adults and the elderly

The usual total daily dose is 1-4g orally daily, in divided

doses.

 Most infections can be treated by 500mg every 8

hours. For skin and soft tissue infections, sore throat

(streptococcal pharyngitis), and mild infections of the

urinary tract (e.g. cystitis), the usual dose is 250mg

every 6 hours, or 500mg every 12 hours.

 For more severe infections, larger doses may be

needed. A reduced dose is needed for patients with

divided and administered every 12 hours.

For most infections the following schedule is suggested:

Children under 5 years: 125mg every 8 hours

Children 5 years and over: 250mg every 8 hours.

In severe infections, the dose may be doubled. In the

treatment of middle ear infections, a total daily dose of 75

to 100mg/kg in 4 doses is required.

If you have any further questions on the use of this

product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor immediately if you get any sudden

wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids,

face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your

whole body).