Cefalexin

Cefalexin, also spelled cephalexin, is an antibiotic that can treat a number of bacterial infections.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It kills gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the growth of the bacterial cell wall.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Cefalexin is a β-lactam antibiotic within the class of first-generation cephalosporins.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It works similarly to other agents within this class, including intravenous cefazolin, but can be taken by mouth.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Cefalexin can treat certain bacterial infections, including those of the middle ear, bone and joint, skin, and urinary tract.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It may also be used for certain types of pneumonia and strep throat and to prevent bacterial endocarditis.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Cefalexin is not effective against infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), most Enterococcus, or Pseudomonas.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Like other antibiotics, cefalexin cannot treat viral infections, such as the flu, common cold or acute bronchitis.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Cefalexin can be used in those who have mild or moderate allergies to penicillin.<ref name=AHFS2014/> However, it is not recommended in those with severe penicillin allergies.<ref name=AHFS2014/>

Common side effects include stomach upset and diarrhea.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Allergic reactions or infections with Clostridioides difficile, a cause of diarrhea, are also possible.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding does not appear to be harmful to the fetus.<ref name=AHFS2014/><ref name=TGA2014>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=Breast2013>Template:Cite book</ref> It can be used in children and those over 65 years of age.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Those with kidney problems may require a decrease in dose.<ref name=AHFS2014>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Cefalexin was developed in 1967.<ref>Template:Cite book></ref><ref>Template:Cite patent Template:Webarchive </ref><ref>Template:Cite patent Template:Webarchive </ref> It was first marketed in 1969 under the brand name Keflex.<ref name=McP2007>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is available as a generic medication.<ref name=AHFS2014/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.<ref name="WHO23rd">Template:Cite book</ref> In 2022, it was the 101st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 6Template:Nbspmillion prescriptions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Canada, it was the fifth most common antibiotic used in 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Australia, it was one of the top 10 most prescribed medications between 2017 and 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Medical uses

File:A course of green cefalexin pills.jpg

A course of cefalexin capsules, commonly prescribed for infections

Cefalexin can treat a number of bacterial infections including otitis media, streptococcal pharyngitis, bone and joint infections, pneumonia, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It may be used to prevent bacterial endocarditis.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It can also be used for the prevention of recurrent urinary-tract infections.<ref name=AHFS2014/>

Cefalexin does not treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.<ref name=AHFS2014/>

Cefalexin is a useful alternative to penicillins in patients with penicillin intolerance. For example, penicillin is the treatment of choice for respiratory tract infections caused by Streptococcus, but cefalexin may be used as an alternative in penicillin-intolerant patients.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Caution must be exercised when administering cephalosporin antibiotics to penicillin-sensitive patients, because cross-sensitivity with β-lactam antibiotics has been documented in up to 10% of patients with a documented penicillin allergy.<ref name=FDA>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is categorized in category A in Australia meaning that no evidence of harm has been found after being taken by many pregnant women.<ref name=AHFS2014/><ref name=TGA2014/> Use during breastfeeding is generally safe.<ref name=Breast2013/>

Adverse effects

The most common adverse effects of cefalexin, like other oral cephalosporins, are gastrointestinal (stomach area) disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions. Gastrointestinal disturbances include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, the latter being the most common.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Hypersensitivity reactions include skin rashes, urticaria, fever, and anaphylaxis.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Pseudomembranous colitis and Clostridioides difficile have been reported with use of cefalexin.<ref name=AHFS2014/> Less common and more serious side effects include bruising of the skin and yellowing of the skin or eye whites.<ref name="auto">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, trouble breathing, or red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin. Overall, cefalexin allergy occurs in less than 0.1% of patientsTemplate:Citation needed. Evidence suggests that it is seen in 1% to 10% of patients with a penicillin allergy.<ref name="AustriaCodex">Template:Cite book</ref>

Interactions

Like other β-lactam antibiotics, renal excretion of cefalexin is delayed by probenecid.<ref name=AHFS2014/> It is also not recommended to take cefalexin with dofetilide, live Cholera vaccine, warfarin, and cholestyramine.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Alcohol consumption reduces the rate at which it is absorbed.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Cefalexin also interacts with metformin, an antidiabetic drug,<ref name=AHFS2014/> and this can lead to higher concentrations of metformin in the body.<ref name=AHFS2014/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Histamine H₂ receptor antagonists like cimetidine and ranitidine may reduce the efficacy of cefalexin by delaying its absorption and altering its antimicrobial pharmacodynamics.<ref name="GraysonCosgrove2017" /> Zinc and zinc supplements also interact with cefalexin and may reduce the amount of cefalexin in the body.<ref name="auto"/>

Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Cefalexin is a β-lactam antibiotic of the cephalosporin family.<ref name = "Botara_2006">Template:Cite book</ref> It is bactericidal and acts by inhibiting synthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall.<ref name="Fisher_2005">Template:Cite journal</ref> As cefalexin closely resembles d-alanyl-d-alanine, an amino acid ending on the peptidoglycan layer of the cell wall, it can irreversibly bind to the active site of PBP, which is essential for the synthesis of the cell wall.<ref name="Fisher_2005"/> It is most active against gram-positive cocci, and has moderate activity against some gram-negative bacilli.<ref name=AHFS2014/> However, some bacterial cells have the enzyme β-lactamase, which hydrolyzes the β-lactam ring, rendering the drug inactive. This contributes to antibacterial resistance towards cefalexin.<ref name="pmid20065329">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Pharmacokinetics

Cefalexin is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with oral administration.<ref name="Keflex-Label" /> Absorption is slightly reduced when it is taken with food and the medication can be taken without regard for meals.<ref name="Keflex-Label" /> Peak levels of cefalexin occur about 1 hour after administration.<ref name="Keflex-Label" /> Maximal levels of cefalexin increase approximately linearly over a dose range of 250 to 1,000 mg.<ref name="Keflex-Label" />

Like most other cephalosporins, cefalexin is not metabolized or otherwise inactivated in the body.<ref name="GraysonCosgrove2017">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Skidmore-Roth2015">Template:Cite book</ref>

The elimination half-life of cefalexin is approximately 30 to 60 minutes in people with normal renal function.<ref name="Skidmore-Roth2015" /><ref name="Keflex-Label" /> Therapeutic levels of cefalexin with oral administration are maintained for 6 to 8 hours.<ref name="Keflex-Label">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> More than 90% of cefalexin is excreted unchanged in the urine within 8 hours.<ref name="Keflex-Label" />

Society and culture

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.<ref name="WHO23rd" /> The World Health Organization classifies cefalexin as highly important for human medicine.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Brand names

Cefalexin is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) and the Australian Approved Name (AAN), while cephalexin is the British Approved Name (BAN) and the United States Adopted Name (USAN).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Brand names for cefalexin include Keflex, Acfex, Cephalex, Ceporex, L-Xahl, Medoxine, Ospexin, Torlasporin, Bio-Cef, Panixine DisperDose, and Novo-Lexin.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Veterinary uses

Dogs

According to Plumb's Veterinary Medication Guides, cefalexin can be used in treating skin, respiratory tract, and urinary tract infections. Specifically, it can treat pyoderma in dogs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in humans and dogs but not for other species. Like other drugs approved for human use, cefalexin may be prescribed by veterinarians for animals in certain situations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Cefalexin (Lexylan) is indicated for the treatment of cattle, dogs, and cats in the European Union.<ref name="Lexylan PI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>