Cephalexin

Brands names of Cephalexin in Kenya

Alcephin®, Alembic
C-Lex,Centurion Remedies Pvt
Cefamor, Cadila pharmaceuticals (EA)Ltd
Cefacure, Orchid
Cefalexin, Medivet Products Ltd
Cefalin, Flamingo
Cephast ,Sterling Lab
Cephastal, Stallion
Cephoxin, Pharco
Ceporex, GSK
Corfex, Unosource Pharma Limited
Felaxin, Crown Healthcare
Felexin, Remedica
Keflex, Eli Lilly
Kelexin, Cosmos Ltd
Leximark, Marksans
Leocef, Lab and Allied Ltd
Medalexin, CSPC OUYI pharmaceutical co. Ltd
Mediceff, Medivet
Medoceph, Medopharm
Oracef, Dawa Limited
Oriphex, Zydus
Rivalexin, Riva Pharma S.A.E
Selexin, Prism


Cefalexin in Kenya
Cefalexin Chemical Structure

INDICATIONS

Cefalexin is a semi synthetic cephalosporin antibiotic for oral administration.

Cefalexin is indicated in the treatment of the following infections: Respiratory tract infections; otitis media; skin and soft tissue infections; bone and joint infections; genito-urinary infections, including acute prostatitis and dental infections.

Cefalexin is active against the following organisms in vitro: β -haemolytic streptococci; staphylococci, including coagulase-positive, coagulase-negative and penicillinase-producing strains; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Escherichia coli; Proteus mirabilis; Klebsiella species, Haemophilus influenzae; Branhamella catarrhalis.

Most strains of enterococci (Streptococcus faecalis) and a few strains of staphylococci are resistant to cefalexin. Cefalexin is inactive against most strains of enterobacter, morganella morganii, pr. Vulgaris, Colstridium difficule, and the following species: legionella, campylobacter, pseudomonas or herellea species. When tested by in vitro methods, staphylococci exhibit cross-resistance between cefalexin and methicillin-type antibiotics.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Adults

1-4 g daily in divided doses; most infections will respond to a dosage of 500 mg every 8 hours.

For skin and soft tissue infections, streptococcal pharyngitis and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the usual dosage is 250 mg every 6 hours, or 500 mg every 12 hours.

More severe infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms, may need larger doses.

If daily doses of cefalexin greater than 4g are required parenteral cephalosporins, in appropriate doses, should be considered.

Elderly and patients with impaired renal function:

As for adults although dosage should be reduced to a daily maximum of 500mg if renal function is severely impaired (glomerular filtration rate < 10ml/min).

Children

The recommended daily dosage for children is 25-50mg/kg (10-20mg/lb) in divided doses.

For skin, soft tissue infections, streptococcal pharyngitis and mild, uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the total daily dose may be 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 dosage may be doubled.

In the therapy of otitis media, clinical studies have shown that a dosage of 75-100mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses is required.

In the treatment of beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dose should be administered for at least 10 days.

Route of administration

Oral

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Cefalexin is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to the cephalosporins group of antibiotics or to any of the excipients.

Cefalexin should be given cautiously to patients who have shown hypersensitivity to other drugs. Cephalosporins should be given with caution to penicillin-sensitive patients, as there is some evidence of partial cross-allergenicity between the penicillins and the cephalosporins. Patients have had severe reactions (including anaphylaxis) to both drugs.

Cefalexin is contraindicated in patients with acute porphyria.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

As cephalosporins like cefalexin are only active against proliferating microorganisms, they should not be combined with bacteriostatic antibiotics.

Concomitant use of uricosuric drugs (e.g. probenicid) suppresses renal drug elimination. As a result, cefalexin plasma levels are increased and sustained for longer periods.

If associated with highly potent diuretics (ethacrynic acid, furosemide) or other potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics (aminoglycosides, polymyxin, colistin), cephalosprins may show higher nephrotoxicity.

Combined use of cephalosporins and oral anticoagulants may prolong prothrombin time.

A potential interaction between cefalexin and metformin may result in an accumulation of metformin and could result in fatal lactic acidosis.

Hypokalaemia has been described in patient taking cytotoxic drugs for leukaemia when they were given gentamicin and cefalexin.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

Side effects of cefalexin include gastro-intestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. The most common of these effects is diarrhoea, but this is rarely severe enough to warrant cessation of therapy. Dyspepsia has also occurred. Transient hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice have rarely been reported.

Allergic reactions have been reported such as rash, urticaria, angioedema and rarely erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (exanthematic necrolysis). These reactions usually subsided upon discontinuation of the drug, although in some cases supportive therapy may be necessary. Anaphylaxis and Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have also been reported.

Other side effects such as genital and anal pruritus, genital candidiasis, vaginitis and vaginal discharge, dizziness, fatigue, headache, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, arthralgia, arthritis and joint disorders have been reported.

As with other cephalosporins interstitial nephritis has rarely been reported.

Eosinophilia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia and slight elevations in AST and ALT have been reported.

As with other broad-spectrum antibiotics prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, e.g. candida. This may present a vulvo-vaginitis.

There is a possibility of development of pseudomembranous colitis and it is therefore important to consider its diagnosis in patients who develop diarrhoea while taking cefalexin. It may range in severity from mild to life threatening with mild case usually responding to cessation of therapy. Appropriate measures should be taken with moderate to severe cases.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:

The PPB Department of Pharmacovigilance was set up with a vision to develop, implement and continuously upgrade an appropriate system for detecting, reporting, and monitoring adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and other relevant problems with medicines in Kenya. The department strives to ensure the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products in Kenya.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product are important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals/ Patients are encouraged to report any suspected adverse reactions via Pharmacovigilance Yellow Form, pv@pharmacyboardkenya.org or clicking below button:


Cephalexin in Kenya
Cephalexin in Kenya
Cephalexin in Kenya
Cephalexin in Kenya
Cephalexin Price in Kenya
Cephalexin Price in Kenya

Clinical | Pharmacokinetic data


Pregnancy Category: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Routes of Administration: Oral
Bioavailability: Well absorbed
Protein Binding: 15%
Metabolosim: 80% excreted unchanged in urine within 6 hours of administration
Onset of Action: Not Available
Elimination Half life: For an adult with normal renal function, the serum half-life is 0.6–1.2 hours
Excretion: Renal

Legal Status | Dosage forms & Strengths


Prescription Category:
Prescription Only
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control ) Act Schedule:
This drug is not a controlled substance under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control ) Act
Dosage Forms | Strengths:


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References/ Citation:




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