II. Indications
- See First Generation Cephalosporin
- Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
- Streptococcal Pharyngitis
- Simple Urinary Tract Infections (Acute Cystitis)
- Not indicated for Otitis Media (inadequate coverage due to resistance)
III. Medications
- Capsule
- Strengths: 250,500,750 mg (generics available)
- Tablet
- Strengths: 250,500 mg (generics available)
- Oral Suspension
- Strengths: 125,250 mg/5ml (generics available)
IV. Dosing: Higher Dose (GFR >60 ml/min)
- Indications
- Pneumonia
- Genitourinary Infection
- Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
- Dose
- Adults (age >15 years): 250-500 mg orally four times daily (max 4 g/day)
- Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day (max 100 mg/kg/day) divided four times daily
V. Dosing: Lower Dose (GFR >60 ml/min)
- Indications
- Simple Urinary Tract Infection (treat for 5-7 days)
- Streptococcal Pharyngitis (treat for 10 days)
- Dose
- Adults (age >15 years): 500 mg orally twice daily
- Children: 25-50 mg/kg/day (max 100 mg/kg/day) divided twice daily
VI. Dosing: Renal
VII. Safety
- Pregnancy Category B (All Trimesters)
- Safe in Lactation
VIII. Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption: Not affected by meals
- Peak Activity: >1 hours
- Primary Elimination: Renal
IX. Resources
X. References
- (2012) Presc Lett, Resource #280706, Comparison of Cephalosporins
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| cephalexin (on 11/23/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| CEPHALEXIN 125 MG/5 ML SUSP | Generic | $0.06 per ml |
| CEPHALEXIN 250 MG CAPSULE | Generic | $0.08 each |
| CEPHALEXIN 250 MG/5 ML SUSP | Generic | $0.08 per ml |
| CEPHALEXIN 500 MG CAPSULE | Generic | $0.13 each |
| CEPHALEXIN 500 MG TABLET | Generic | $1.64 each |