Is Cephalexin Good For Skin Infections

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the capsules and tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture . Keep liquid medicine in the refrigerator, tightly closed, and dispose of any unused medication after 14 days. .

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDAâs Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Cephalexin : Uses Side Effects Dosages Contra

When you have a common bacterial infection such as a middle ear infection, respiratory tract infection, or urinary tract infection, theres a good chance your doctor will prescribe a drug called cephalexin.

Cephalexin monohydrate is a prescription drug used to kill the bacteria causing these infections. It is similar to penicillin and is among the top 100 most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States.

In this article, Ill explain all about cephalexin, including how it works, common conditions its used to treat, side effects, and if you can get cephalexin online.

Our physicians can prescribe antibiotics for various conditions, but only if necessary. Chat with a provider to see which treatment option is best for you.

When To Seek Medical Care

See a doctor right away if your child is younger than 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4 °F or higher.

See a doctor if you have symptoms of cellulitis or abscess. Although most cases of cellulitis resolve quickly with treatment, some can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream and can become life-threatening.

Read Also: Does A Tooth Infection Hurt

What Exactly Is Cephalexin

Cephalexin, also spelled as cefalexin, is a prescription antibiotic that belongs to a class known as cephalosporins. Its sold on the market under the brand names Keflex and Daxbia as a capsule, tablet, and oral suspension. According to Drugs.com, around 10 percent of people who have penicillin allergy will also have cephalexin allergy.

This antibiotic has a high efficacy rate of 90 percent . One great thing about this drug is that it doesnt rapidly degrade in stomach acid. For this reason, more of the drug is available for absorption to achieve its intended effects.

As an antibiotic, cephalexin is used for treating a wide array of infections that involve the skin, bones, ears, respiratory tract, and genitourinary system . When it comes to skin infections, its mainly effective against gram-positive Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria.

Clinical Manifestations Of Inflammation

The cardinal manifestations of inflammation are warmth, erythema, edema, pain and dysfunction . Prolonged inflammation can lead to chronic edema, especially in the lower extremities, and can result in a postcellulitic syndrome. Ancillary systemic signs, such as fever, hypotension and tachycardia, result from cytokine-induced changes in thermoregulation and vascular resistance. The release of cytokines may be mediated by the normal immune cell function or by bacterial toxin stimulation. Out-of-proportion pain results from severe damage of the deep layers of skin produced by bacterial toxins, while bullous lesions are produced by toxin-mediated epidermal cleavage. Skin anesthesia, which may be present during the course of necrotizing fasciitis, occurs secondary to toxin-mediated nerve tissue damage. Also, violaceous lesions result from toxin-mediated lysis of erythrocytes and hemorrhage .

Read Also: Are Antibiotics Good For Sinus Infections

You May Like: Over The Counter Pain Relief For Tooth Infection

Mrsa Skin And Soft Tissue Infections

Natasha Press, MD, FRCPC

What I did before

A 32 year old woman, otherwise healthy, presented with a spider-bite. On exam, she had a tender abscess on her buttock. It was associated with some surrounding cellulitis but no fever or other systemic features. I recommended incision and drainage, but she wasnt keen on it, so I gave her a 7-day prescription for cephalexin 500 mg po qid.

What changed my practice

The woman returned to the office 1 week later. The abscess had increased in size and another one had appeared on her labia. She was in significant discomfort and reported no improvement with the cephalexin. Incision and drainage of her abscesses were done, and the culture result from the swab showed community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus . This patient did not improve because her abscesses were caused by ca-MRSA which is resistant to cephalexin and other beta-lactam antibiotics. As well, an incision and drainage should have been done when she initially presented.

Abscesses caused by ca-MRSA are often multiple, appearing on the buttock and groin, as well as other parts of the body. Treatment includes incision and drainage, with the addition of antibiotics if the abscess is large or there is surrounding cellulitis, incomplete drainage, or fever Oral antibiotics effective against ca-MRSA usually include septra, doxycycline, and clindamycin.

What I do now

Key learning points:

Cephalexin May Interact With Other Medications

Cephalexin oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs youre taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else youre taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with cephalexin are listed below.

You May Like: Can A Yeast Infection Cause Chlamydia

How Staph Can Become Resistant M R S A

Antibiotics are the medical treatment of choice for Staph, however, growing antibiotic resistance is a serious issue.

The overuse of antibiotics over many years has resulted in the ever growing population of antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. Antibiotics have become less and less effective with each passing year. Such misuse has been created by doctors prescribing antibiotics for colds which are caused by viruses, not bacteria. The commercial livestock industry has overused antibiotics which are commonly used to fatten cattle so they can go to market quicker, making these drugs less effective for people. These two factors have greatly contributed to antimicrobial resistance in bacteria like Staph.

While antibiotics are often necessary and lifesaving, I believe they should be used with prudence. Antibiotics have a history of being misused and over-used which has contributed largely to antibiotic resistant bacteria like MRSA, VRSA and others.

Statistics are now showing that using antibiotics for a Staph infection can double your chances of getting MRSA. Using an antibiotic that doesnt work well only makes these bacteria more resistant. Im not saying this as a scare tactic, but I want to inform you of the risks involved with antibiotics and if youre going to use them, make sure you get tested.

Is There A Way To Prevent Getting A Bacterial Infection

There are many ways to treat a bacterial skin infection, but the best way would be to take care of it at the first sign. This is easy for most people, but if you have a condition that could affect your immune system or you have weak immune systems because of age or illness, this task becomes harder. If you have any underlying medical conditions, you should still think about getting treatment right away so that the infection can clear up without complications.

The best way to prevent a bacterial skin infection is washing your hands frequently and getting a good amount of sleep. Always make sure your hands are clean by washing them with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that takes away the moisture from the area. Yes there is! You can prevent these infections by making sure you keep your hands clean and use hand sanitizer to kill off any bacteria that may be on your skin. If this still does not work, you can try using an over the counter ointment or cream to help reduce the number of breakouts. Many people get bacterial skin infections because they dont wash their hands properly.

You May Like: Antibiotics Used To Treat Urinary Tract Infections

Also Check: Ampicillin 500mg Dosage For Tooth Infection

Can You Get Cephalexin Online

In order to get cephalexin, you first need a prescription. You can get this online through your healthcare provider.

Once you receive the prescription, you can purchase cephalexin online. Before buying any medicine on the web, though, consider these tips from the Food and Drug Administration :

• Only use sites that require a prescription and have a pharmacist available for questions.
• Only buy prescription drugs from licensed US pharmacies.
• Dont share your credit card information or other personal information unless the site is secure.

What Other Options Are There

Unfortunately, MRSA is constantly becoming more resistant to more antibiotics. I agree with the CDC who stated it is only a matter of time before antibiotics can no longer can be relied upon.

Additionally, antibiotics often make people so sick they are unwilling to go another round. May people have tried everything with no luck. Fortunately, there are alternative treatment choices that actually work for MRSA and have little or no side-effects.

Don’t Miss: Best Otc Meds For Sinus Infection

Responses To Mrsa Skin And Soft Tissue Infections

Can We Prevent Staph Skin Infections

• Washing hands well and often is key to preventing staph infections.
• Encourage kids to keep their skin clean with a daily bath or shower. If a skin condition such as eczema makes regular bathing difficult, ask your doctor for advice.
• Keep areas of injured skin such as cuts, scrapes, and rashes caused by allergic reactions or poison ivy clean and covered, and follow any directions given by your doctor.
• If someone in your family has a staph infection, donât share towels, sheets, or clothing until the infection has been fully treated.

Don’t Miss: I Have A Urinary Tract Infection And Im Bleeding

Neosporin Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment With Bacitracin Zinc For 24

• Contains heliderm technology that provides a nourishing environment for skin to heal, resulting in healthier looking skin after use.
• Formulated with neomycin sulfate, bacitracin zinc and polymyxin b antibiotic ingredients to provide 24-hour infection protection for minor wounds.
• .5-ounces of neosporin original topical antibiotic ointment by the number-one doctor recommended brand for treating minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
• To use, apply a small amount of the first-aid antibiotic ointment to the affected area one to three times daily.
• First-aid ointment nourishes skin to minimize the appearance of scars after healing.

Also Check: Can I Stop One Antibiotic And Start Another

Before Taking This Medicine

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to cephalexin or to other cephalosporin antibiotics, such as:

To make sure cephalexin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had

• an allergy to any drug

• liver or kidney disease or

• intestinal problems, such as colitis.

Cephalexin is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Cephalexin can pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

You May Like: What Otc Medicine Is Best For Yeast Infections

Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Cephalexin Vs Amoxicillin

Cephalexin is a prescription medication that is covered by both commercial and Medicare drug insurance plans. A typical prescription for cephalexin would be written for 28 capsules of the 500mg strength. The average cash price for this prescription without insurance can be close to $50 or higher. With a coupon from SingleCare, you can get it for as low as $9.

Amoxicillin is a prescription medication that is also covered by both commercial and Medicare drug insurance plans. The cash price for a prescription written for 21 capsules of the 500mg strength of amoxicillin is over $20, but with a coupon from SingleCare, you can get this prescription starting as low as $5.

Is Cephalexin Good For Tooth Infection

Yes, cephalexin is good for tooth infections like tooth abscesses and gum infections. It quickly works against infection and gives relief from severe pain. It will kill all bacteria in the mouth as it starts working even after one hour. But, one should not take this medicine without the consultation of a doctor.

Recommended Reading: Chance Of Catching Hiv From An Infected Person

Antibiotics Dont Help If Your Skin Is Not Infected

Eczema causes red, itchy, and scaly skin. People with eczema often have high amounts of bacteria on their skin. But that doesnt mean that the germs are causing infection. Even so, some doctors treat eczema with antibiotics that you take by mouth to kill the germs.

Antibiotics also dont help your itching or redness. And they dont make your eczema less severe. Plus, your skin bacteria usually come back in a month or two, if not sooner.

You can control eczema better with lotions and other steps. To ease itching and swelling, ask your doctor about other treatments, such as creams and ointments that contain medicine. You can get them with or without a prescription.

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.

You May Like: When A Wisdom Tooth Is Infected

Cephalexin For Dogs: Recommended Dosage Side Effects And More

If youve recently taken your dog to the vet, they may have prescribed the medicine Cephalexin for dogs. Cephalexin or Cefalexin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. So why does your dog need this drug or another type of antibiotic? Generally, dogs are pretty hardy animals. Theyve got to be. But like humans, there are times when they may develop a bacterial infection that needs curing by veterinary medicine.

Side Effects Of Cephalexin

ohlamour studio / Stocksy

According to Black, the antibiotic is usually well-tolerated, but it should be avoided in patients with allergies to cephalosporins. Baxt adds that there can be cross-reactivity to cephalosporins and sometimes penicillin, so anyone who is allergic to those should reconsider using cephalexin as a treatment.

Adds Ali, the risks or side effects of using an antibiotic, such as cephalexin, include allergic reactions, rash, nausea, and diarrhea. But perhaps the most concerning side effect of using an antibiotic to treat acne is antibiotic resistance and therefore definitely a reason to approach with some caution. “Propionobacterium acnes, the bacterium responsible for acne flares, has exhibited a large rise in antibiotic resistance over the past few decades with use of antibiotics, in general,” Dhingra explains. The other concern is that prolonged cephalexin courses can introduce the risk of resistance for other bugs like Staph bacteria, making treatment of other conditions with cephalexin more difficult, he notes.

To sum it up: before taking cephalexin, make sure you are not allergic to it, be aware of the potential side effects, and notify your doctor of any unusual reactions.

You May Like: Yeast Infection Over The Counter Walgreens

Predisposition To Infection: Neutropenia

Patients with neutropenia are predisposed to infection because of insufficient circulating neutrophils, lack of adequate myeloid marrow reserve, or congenital or acquired defects in neutrophil function . Neutropenia is frequently associated with mucosal or integumentary barrier disruption, and the indigenous colonizing florae are responsible for most infections. More than 20% of patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia develop skin and soft-tissue infections, many of which are due to hematogenous dissemination from other sites, such as the sinuses, lungs, and the alimentary tract . Important pathogens for neutropenic patients can be separated into organisms most likely to cause an initial infection and those more likely to cause a subsequent infection . Pathogens causing initial infections are usually bacteria, including both gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Pathogens causing subsequent infections are usually antibiotic-resistant bacteria, yeast, or fungi .

Skin and soft-tissue infections in the immune compromised host: treatment and management.