Manufacturer: Cipla, India
Pharmaceutical name: Cephalexin
Pack: 10 pills (125 mg)
Cephadex is a cephalosporin antibiotic utilized for treating respiratory and ear infections. It belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics, which combat bacterial growth by inhibiting the formation of their cell walls. Cephadex shows a good level of resistance to penicillinases produced by gram-positive bacteria, but it can be inactivated by beta-lactamases from gram-negative bacteria.
It demonstrates a wide range of effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis; Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium, Actinomyces israelii, and Bacillus anthracis, along with gram-negative organisms like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Shigella, and Salmonella. Common ailments treated with Cephadex comprise middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, as well as infections in the urinary tract, skin, and bones.
The recommended dosage of Cephadex for adults ranges from 1 to 4 grams, administered in divided doses. The time interval between doses can be either 6 or 12 hours based on the type of infection.
Before starting Cephadex, inform your doctor if you have any allergies to medications (especially penicillins), or if you suffer from kidney or liver issues, a gastrointestinal disorder such as colitis, or diabetes.
Hypersensitivity to Cephadex, other cephalosporin antibiotics, and beta-lactam antibiotics is possible. Caution is advised for patients with kidney problems, pseudomembranous colitis, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants younger than 6 months.
Potential side effects may include allergic reactions (such as hives, rashes, swelling of the face and tongue), seizures, fever, sore throat, and headaches, along with severe blistering, peeling, and reddening of the skin, jaundice, dark urine, fever, hallucinations, confusion or weakness, easy bruising or bleeding, and unusual fatigue. If you experience any serious or persistent side effects, seek immediate medical attention.
Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, especially live vaccines and probenecid. Cephadex can reduce the effectiveness of combination-type contraceptive pills. It may also yield false positive results with certain urine tests for diabetes. Cephadex enhances the effects of indirect anticoagulants, phenylbutazone, and furosemide. Salicylates and indomethacin can delay the elimination of cephalexin via the kidneys. Medications that diminish renal tubular secretion can elevate blood serum levels of Cephadex and slow its excretion.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take double doses of this medication.
If you experience severe and ongoing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or blood in your urine, consult your doctor for further medical advice.