Does Cephalexin Treat Bacterial Infections

Basics Of Doxycycline For Sinus Infection

According to a clinical trial published in the National Library of Medicine, doxycycline was far more effective than ampicillin in curing sinusitis in affected patients. 90% of the patients responded to the drug while only 35% responded to ampicillin. It was inferred that this is effective as it fights against the organisms as well as can penetrate the sinuses which act as a reservoir for the infections.

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that cures a wide variety of infections caused by different bacteria. Apart from sinusitis, it can also cure other bacterial infections including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, eye infections, gonorrhea, syphilis, etc.

In addition to these infections, medicine is very effective in treating skin blemishes or acne. Moreover, it is believed that taking this drug also reduces the risk of malaria.

How To Store Cefalexin

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store tablets and capsules in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• If you have been given liquid medicine, store it in a refrigerator. It will have been made up freshly by the pharmacy and lasts for 14 days, so please remember to check the expiry date, and do not use it after this date.

What Infections Does Cephalexin Treat / What Is Cephalexin Most Commonly Used For

Cephalexin is useful in a wide-variety of infection types. At the appropriate dose, cephalexin is effective in treating many respiratory infections. Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, tonsillitis, lower respiratory tract infections, and community acquired pneumonia are amongst the respiratory infections which respond to cephalexin. Cephalexin is also very useful in skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis, impetigo, incision site infections, and abscesses. Cephalexin has a relevant place in therapy amongst other infection types such as urinary tract infections and mastitis. Your healthcare provider can help determine if cephalexin is the appropriate antibiotic for you.

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What Are Warnings And Precautions For Cephalexin

Warnings

• This medication contains cephalexin. Do not take Keflex or Panixine Disperdose if you are allergic to cephalexin or any ingredients contained in this drug
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately

Contraindications

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cephalexin?”

Long-Term Effects

• Superinfections and promotion of nonsusceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy
• Prolonged treatment may be associated with increased international normalized ratio
• Prolonged use is associated with fungal or bacterial superinfection
• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Cephalexin?”

Cautions

• Endocarditisprophylaxis is appropriate only for high-risk patients, per American Heart Association guidelines
• Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency
• Superinfections and promotion of nonsusceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy
• Prolonged treatment, hepatic or renal disease, or nutritional deficiency may be associated with increased international normalized ratio
• Prolonged use is associated with fungal or bacterial superinfection
• Use with caution in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to penicillin

Pregnancy and Lactation

Can Cephalexin Treat Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial infections are not uncommon. These are issues that millions of people will have to deal with. Women specifically will have to deal with a variety of issues, including vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis is something that millions of women will have to face off against over time. Its something that is easy to take care of at home, or with the help of a doctor. Understanding what this issue is, and how it can affect the body is a good way to figure out what the next course of action should be. The issue that comes with this problem however, is that it doesnt always present symptoms. That can make it difficult to figure out what is going on, especially if youve never had vaginosis before.

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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Cephalexin

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin or any other cephalosporin antibiotic .

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any drug
• liver or kidney disease or
• intestinal problems, such as colitis.

The liquid form of cephalexin may contain sugar. This may affect you if you have diabetes.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Things To Consider While You Are Taking Cefalexin

• Cefalexin does not have direct interaction with alcohol. This means that most people could have the occasional drink while taking it without any serious problems. However, if cefalexin makes you feel sick , do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
• If you are taking the contraceptive pill, you do not usually need to use additional contraception if youre taking cefalexin. But if the antibiotics or the illness theyre treating cause diarrhoea or vomiting, lasting more than 24 hours, absorption of the contraceptive pill may be affected. If this happens, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about contraception over the following few days.

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Are There Any Potential Complications Or Long

A severe inner ear infection can actually spread to the part of the brain that controls your dogs breathing and heart rate, although this is quite rare.

Two potential long-term complications of inner ear infection include a permanently altered sense of balance and/or persistent signs of Horners syndrome. Your dog may also become permanently deaf in the affected ear.

That said, most dogs with otitis interna respond well to medical management. Expect a two- to four-month course of oral antibiotics to prevent a relapse. The altered sense of balance that generally accompanies otitis interna is typically improved within two to six weeks. Small dogs may recover their balance more quickly than large breeds.

Treatments For Sinus Infections Other Than Antibiotics

#1: Saline Nasal Wash

Saline nasal wash can be a great way to thin out the mucous in the sinuses enough to clear out the blockage. I recommend starting this early on in the course of the illness to prevent the infection from worsening.

You can even make this at home using 2 cups of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. I would add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda to prevent burning that can occur with use. There are also plenty of over the counter saline nasal sprays that you can purchase. You can use this 4-6 times per day.

#2: Vaporizer

Vaporizers are great because they can also thin out the mucous and make you feel a lot better. An easy home remedy, steam is probably the best way to use this treatment. Beware if you are an asthmatic as the steam could cause worsening of the asthma symptoms.

#3: Steroid Nasal Spray

Steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase have been my go to remedy recently and the great news is that they are now over the counter. The general recommendation is to use 1-2 sprays per nostril daily.

But I have found great relief using 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. At these higher doses it is important to remember that you should use this short term, no more than 5-7 days.

These medications can significantly reduce inflammation allowing the congestion blockage to clear and significantly alleviate symptoms.

#4: Decongestants

#5: Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin such as Mucinex can certainly break up the mucous, allowing the congestion to clear more quickly.

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Hypersensitivity Reactions And Anaphylaxis

Cephalexin and Amoxicillin are both beta-lactam antibiotics and related to penicillins. Penicillin allergies are among the most common antibiotic allergies, affecting up to 10% of the population. If a patient reports an allergy to penicillins, caution should be used with amoxicillin and cephalexin as well. While most sensitivity, or allergic, reactions are mild and limited to a mild skin rash, there are some who can experience a severe anaphylactic response to beta-lactam antibiotics. A severe reaction would include swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms after taking cephalexin or amoxicillin, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment Of Ear Canal Infection

• Removal of infected debris from the ear canal and dry ear precautions

• Ear drops containing white vinegar and corticosteroids

• Sometimes ear drops containing antibiotics

• Rarely antibiotics taken by mouth

To treat ear canal infection due to any cause, a doctor first removes the infected debris from the canal with suction or dry cotton wipes. After the ear canal is cleared, hearing often returns to normal.

Usually, a person with mild ear canal infection is given ear drops containing white vinegar and drops containing a corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone or dexamethasone to use several times a day for up to a week. White vinegar is helpful because bacteria do not grow as well once the normal acidity of the ear canal is restored.

With moderate or severe infection, antibiotic ear drops also are prescribed. If the ear canal is very swollen, a doctor inserts a small wick into the ear canal to allow the antibiotic/corticosteroid ear drops to penetrate. The wick is left in place for 24 to 72 hours, after which time the swelling may have gone down enough to allow the drops to go directly into the ear canal.

People who have severe acute external otitis may need to take antibiotics by mouth, such as cephalexin or ciprofloxacin.

Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help reduce pain for the first 24 to 48 hours, until the inflammation begins to subside.

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What Is Keflex Used For

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Keflex to treat the following infections caused by susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria:

• Urinary tract infections

Keflex works by killing bacteria causing your infection. It is effective against most gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pneumococcus bacteria. However, Keflex can also act against certain gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis .

Keflex is not used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections or viral infections such as the common cold or flu. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to their decreased effectiveness and increase your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Verywell / Zoe Hansen

Conditions Treated By Cephalexin And Amoxicillin

Cephalexin has been shown to be active against a variety of bacterial organisms including Escherichia coli,Haemophilus influenzae , Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes. The sensitivity of these organisms allows cephalexin to also be effective in treating many common types of infections including upper respiratory infections such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis. Amoxicillin is also effective against lower respiratory infections such as community-acquired pneumonia. Other uses of cephalexin include skin infections , bone and joint infections, otitis media, and urinary tract infections

Amoxicillin has been shown to be active against a variety of bacterial organisms including Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae , Helicobacter pylori, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes. The sensitivity of these organisms allows amoxicillin to also be effective in treating many common types of infections including upper and lower respiratory infections. Other uses include skin tissue infections, otitis media, and urinary tract infections.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Do I need any tests, such as urinalysis?
• What is the likely cause of my urinary tract infection ?
• Do I need medicine? How should I take it?
• What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
• When should I expect relief from my symptoms?
• What symptoms would indicate that my infection is getting worse? What should I do if I experience these symptoms?
• I get UTIs a lot. What can I do to prevent them?
• Do I need preventive antibiotics? If so, should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
• My child gets UTIs a lot. Could an anatomical problem be causing his or her UTIs?

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How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Keflex

If you have a bacterial infection that requires an antibiotic like Keflex, following your healthcare providerâs instructions is important. Take the drug as prescribed and on schedule to ensure optimal benefits and reduce the risk of resistance.

If you have a busy home or work life, it can be easy to miss a dose. It often helps to set daily alarm reminders on your cellphone and to keep the pills on hand if you are planning to run errands or juggle appointments.

Importantly, never stop treatment early, even if you are feeling 100% better. Doing so allows antibiotic-resistant mutations to âescapeâ and multiply, making future antibiotic therapies less effective.

Try to avoid alcohol to better manage antibiotic side effects. Alcohol use with antibiotics can cause diarrhea and stomach upset. You might also consider taking a probiotic supplement, which may help lower the risk of diarrhea. If you experience severe, persistent, or worsening side effects while taking Keflex, call your healthcare provider immediately.

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Dosage For Bone Infections

Adult dosage

14 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours, or a dose of 500 mg every 12 hours may be given. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage

14 grams per day taken in divided doses. The usual dose is 250 mg taken every 6 hours, or a dose of 500 mg every 12 hours may be given. If you have a severe infection, your doctor may give you a larger dose.

Child dosage

2550 mg/kg of body weight per day taken in divided doses. Your doctor may double your dose for severe infections.

Child dosage

This medication hasnt been studied in children younger than 1 year for this condition.

Senior dosage

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

• Adults: 250 mg taken orally every 6 hours or 500 mg taken orally every 12 hours for 7-14 days.

• Children and adolescents: 25-50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day taken orally divided in 2-4 doses for mild to moderate infections. For severe infections, 50-100 mg per kilogram of body weight per day taken orally divided in 3-4 doses.

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How Cephalexin Works For Dogs Ear Infection

Cephalexin belongs to a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins. Cephalosporins are commonly used to treat ear infections in dogs because they are safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive.

Cephalexin works by blocking bacterial cell wall synthesis, which stops the growth and multiplication of certain bacteria. The drugs effectiveness against gram-positive cocci and some gram-negative bacilli makes it a good choice for treating canine ear infections caused by these bacteria.

Cephalexin is available in tablet and liquid form. It may be prescribed by your veterinarian as an over-the-counter product, or you can obtain the medication from a local pharmacy.

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Cephalexin comes as a capsule, tablet, and suspension to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food every 6 or 12 hours for 7 to 14 days, depending on the condition being treated. Take cephalexin at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cephalexin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of treatment with cephalexin. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your doctor.

Continue to take cephalexin until you finish the prescription even if you feel better. If you stop taking cephalexin too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

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How Quickly Does Cephalexin Work

A: Cephalexin antibiotic begins to kill the bacteria causing a skin infection very quickly. However, you may not notice the skin infection improving for 2 to 3 days. Follow the directions on your cephalexin medication bottleand finish all doses of cephalexin, even after the skin infection looks and feels better.

Different Alternative Antibiotics For Dogs

Antibiotics are not always needed for the treatment of infections. Some veterinarians have lasers that can be used to treat bacterial infections. Others may suggest the use of warm compresses. These can help with blood flow and the circulation of white blood cells and oxygen to naturally fight infection. You may also consider looking into natural antibiotics for your pooch.

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How To Cope With Side Effects

What to do about:

• feeling sick eat simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food while you’re taking this medicine. It might help to take your cefalexin after a meal or snack.
• diarrhoea drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
• stomach pain putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may help stomach pain.