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Cilex

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Generic Name: Cephalexin
Product Name: Cilex

Indication

Cefalexin-BC is an oral antibiotic used in the treatment of the following infections when they are caused by susceptible organisms:
– respiratory tract infections, including the treatment of Streptococcal throat infections to prevent rheumatic fever
– bacterial sinusitis
– middle ear infections
– skin and skin structure infections
– genitourinary tract infections, including acute prostate infection
Cefalexin-BC is NOT indicated in the treatment of bacterial infections of the brain and spinal cord.
In the treatment of any infection, it is important to isolate the bacteria and its antibacterial susceptibilities if possible before commencing treatment.

Action

Cephalexin is a semisynthetic first generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It is bactericidal due to inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is active against the following bacteria:
– beta-haemolytic Streptococci
– Staphylococci â?? including coagulase positive, coagulase negative and penicillinase-producing strains
– Streptococcus pneumoniae
– Escherichia coli
– Proteus mirabilis
– Klebsiella spp.
Most strains of Enterococcus faecalis are resistant, as are some strains of Staphylococci.
Cephalexin does not have activity against:
– most strains of Enterobacter
– Morganella morganii
– Proteus vulgaris
– Pseudomonas spp.
– Acinetobacter calcoaceticus
Cross resistance is seen with Cephalexin and methicillin-type antibiotics (in MRSA).

Dose advice

Cefalexin-BC is for oral administration. It should not be administered in any other way.
Adults
– usual dose is 250mg every 6 hours or 500mg every 12hours
– larger doses may be required for more serious infections or those caused by less susceptible organisms
– when daily dosing is greater than 1g, doses should be divided and given more often
– daily dose should not exceed 4g, if greater than this dose is required, parenteral cephalosporins should be used
Children
– usual dose is 25-50mg/kg daily in divided doses
– the powder for suspension is recommended for use in children, as smaller doses can be measured out
– treatment for otitis media may require 75-100mg/kg/day in divided doses
Duration of treatment
– treatment should generally continue until the symptoms of infection have been gone for at least 2 days
– treatment for Streptococcal throat infection should be no shorter than 10 days to prevent rheumatic fever

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

Cephalexin is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin family, known as a first generation cephalosporin. Cephalexin can kill a number of bacteria by inhibiting production of their cell walls. It is active against Streptococci and Staphylococci, including some of those resistant to penicillins. Methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA), however, is resistant to Cephalexin as well as methicillin-type antibiotics. Cephalexin is also active against the well-known E. coli and some other bugs in its class.
Cephalexin does not have activity against Enterococcus faecalis, or Pseudomonas the virulent bugs that can cause dangerous hospital infections.

Uncommon side effects

– diarrhoea
– nausea
– vomiting (less commonly)


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For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 16 July, 2017


Created by: myVMC