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Cephalexin

Cefalexin

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User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

7.4

7.2 Effectiveness

3.1 Side Effects

5.9 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 4 Cephalexin side effects and 2 Cephalexin benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

Cephalexin is the generic name and it is manufactured and marketed under brand names Keflex and Biocef.

Cephalexin is the active ingredient of this medication and the inactive ingredients include: Black iron oxide; magnesium stearate; silicon dioxide; and sodium starch glycolate.

This is an antibiotic that treats various bacterial infections. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called cephalosporins.

Common Uses:

Used in the treatment of bacterial infections like:
Respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis; pneumonia; strep throat; and tonsillitis;
Bone infections like osteomyelitis;
Middle ear infection;
Prostate irritation;
Sinus infection;
Skin infections like cellulitis, folliculitis, or impetigo;
UTI or urinary tract infection.

Off Label Uses:

None noted currently.

Side Effects:
Blood in stools;
Difficulty swallowing;
Dyspnea or difficulty breathing;
Hives;
Itching;
Mouth sores;
Peeling of the skin;
Skin rash;
Swelling of the throat;
Unexplained bleeding or bruising;
Watery diarrhea;
Wheezing.

Cautions / Warnings:

Not recommended in:
Pregnant women and nursing mothers;
People with renal disease or renal failure;
People that are allergic to any of the ingredients of this medication;
People that are going in for surgery.

Drug Interactions:
Aminoglycosides;
Live, attenuated typhoid vaccine;
Metformin;
Probenecid.

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Comments(10)

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Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Betamethasone Valerate	9	6.21	0	5
Betaderm	8.5	5.1	3.58	2
Hydrocortisone	7.43	5.44	2.6	7
Benadryl	7.1	4.95	1.81	10
Xyzal	4.4	5.56	3.63	5
Cephalexin	0	0	0	0

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Cephalexin by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Bacterial Infection (Antibiotic)

Skin Rash

Respiratory Tract Infection / Bronchitis

Sinusitis (Sinus Infection)

Ear Infection

Eye Infection / Vision Problem

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Bacterial Infection (Antibiotic)"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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How effective is Cephalexin?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Cephalexin, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	0%	21.1%	71.1%	5.3%	2.6%
Balance/Equilibrium	0%	5.3%	92.1%	2.6%	0%
Blood Pressure	0%	2.6%	97.4%	0%	0%
Breathing	0%	5.3%	92.1%	2.6%	0%
Confidence	2.6%	0%	97.4%	0%	0%
Coordination/Motor Skills	0%	7.9%	92.1%	0%	0%
Digestion	0%	10.5%	78.9%	5.3%	5.3%
Emotional Well-being	5.3%	7.9%	73.7%	13.2%	0%
Energy	2.6%	10.5%	76.3%	10.5%	0%
Eyesight	0%	7.9%	92.1%	0%	0%
Memory	0%	2.6%	94.7%	2.6%	0%
Mental Clarity	5.3%	2.6%	92.1%	0%	0%
Pain	0%	5.3%	63.2%	18.4%	13.2%
Patience	5.3%	5.3%	89.5%	0%	0%
Sexual Health	2.6%	0%	92.1%	2.6%	2.6%
Skin Complexion	0%	5.3%	86.8%	5.3%	2.6%
Sleep	2.6%	2.6%	81.6%	10.5%	2.6%
Stress Level	5.3%	5.3%	84.2%	5.3%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Cephalexin Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Anxiety	87.5%	0%	12.5%	0%	0%
Appetite Loss	67.7%	19.4%	9.7%	0%	3.2%
Blurred Vision	88.9%	0%	11.1%	0%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	87.5%	0%	12.5%	0%	0%
Bruising	96.2%	3.8%	0%	0%	0%
Cold Symptoms	87.5%	0%	12.5%	0%	0%
Confusion	87.5%	0%	12.5%	0%	0%
Dark / Tarry Stools	96.9%	3.1%	0%	0%	0%
Depression	87.5%	0%	12.5%	0%	0%
Diarrhea	78.9%	7.9%	10.5%	0%	2.6%
Dizziness	84.2%	7.9%	2.6%	5.3%	0%
Drowsiness	66.7%	22.2%	0%	11.1%	0%
Fatigue	73.7%	15.8%	5.3%	5.3%	0%
Gas	66.7%	22.2%	0%	11.1%	0%
Headache	84.2%	13.2%	2.6%	0%	0%
Insomnia	75%	12.5%	12.5%	0%	0%
Irregular Bleeding	96.8%	3.2%	0%	0%	0%
Irregular Heartbeat	88.9%	0%	11.1%	0%	0%
Irritability / Impatience	86.7%	10%	3.3%	0%	0%
Itching	0%	100%	0%	0%	0%
Muscle Cramping	87.5%	12.5%	0%	0%	0%
Nausea	82.9%	5.7%	11.4%	0%	0%
Sensitivity to Light	88.9%	11.1%	0%	0%	0%
Sore Throat	93.9%	3%	3%	0%	0%
Stomach Ache	62.5%	0%	12.5%	12.5%	12.5%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Cephalexin Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	82.1%	17.9%	0%	0%	0%
Anxiety	84.6%	7.7%	3.8%	3.8%	0%
Back Pain	50%	0%	50%	0%	0%
Blistering	97%	3%	0%	0%	0%
Breathing Difficulties	0%	100%	0%	0%	0%
Chest Pain	97%	3%	0%	0%	0%
Confusion	0%	0%	100%	0%	0%
Depression	92.6%	3.7%	3.7%	0%	0%
Flaky / Peeling Skin	97%	0%	3%	0%	0%
Genital Discomfort	96.7%	3.3%	0%	0%	0%
Hives	96.9%	3.1%	0%	0%	0%
Lightheadedness	0%	100%	0%	0%	0%
Metallic Taste in Mouth	80%	10%	0%	6.7%	3.3%
Muscle / Joint Pain	80%	20%	0%	0%	0%
Painful Urination	96.7%	3.3%	0%	0%	0%
Skin Rash	96.4%	0%	3.6%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

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User Comments about Cephalexin

07 Aug 2012	I started taking Cephalexin after having some pus drained from my big toe. The good news is that it didn't cause any unwanted side effects. The bad news is that it didn't help get rid of the infection either. In fact, I had to have the same toe operated on again. Perhaps the bacterium causing the infection is resistant or is outside the spectrum of cephalexin. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
02 Jan 2012	The aftertaste was really bad when taking this medication, hoever it worked quite quickly and well for the infection I had. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
23 Oct 2010	I took this for a UTI, it worked well, but would have been better if it worked more quickly. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
15 Sep 2010	i would prefer it not being a pill —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
20 Aug 2010	Helped speed up the recovery time on my severely cut and infected hand. Finally saw a doctor after weeks with no improvement and it getting more and more worse. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use