Manufacturer: Cipla, India
Pharmaceutical name: Cephalexin
Pack: 10 pills (250 mg)
Cephadex is a cephalosporin antibiotic utilized for the treatment of respiratory and ear infections. It belongs to the cephalosporins class and functions against bacteria by inhibiting the construction of their cell walls. It is relatively resistant to penicillinases produced by gram-positive bacteria but can be inactivated by beta-lactamases from gram-negative bacteria.
Cephadex has a broad range of activity against gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium, Actinomyces israelii, Bacillus anthracis, as well as gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Shigella, and Salmonella. It is commonly used to treat middle ear infections, tonsillitis, throat infections, laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and infections of the urinary tract, skin, and bones.
The recommended dosage of Cephadex for adults ranges from 1 to 4 grams, divided into 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 known drug allergies (particularly to penicillins), have kidney or liver issues, an intestinal problem like colitis, or diabetes.
Patients should exercise caution if they have hypersensitivity to Cephadex, cephalosporins, or beta-lactam antibiotics. Care should also be taken in individuals with kidney impairments, pseudomembranous colitis, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in infants under six months old.
Common side effects may include allergic reactions (such as hives, rash, or swelling of the face and tongue), seizures, fever, sore throat, headache, as well as severe skin reactions like blistering, peeling, and redness, jaundice, dark urine, fever, hallucinations, confusion, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue, confusion, agitation, and reduced or absent urination. If you experience serious and ongoing side effects, seek immediate medical assistance.
Notify your doctor about all medications you are taking, especially live vaccines and probenecid. Cephalexin can reduce the effectiveness of combination-type contraceptive pills. Cephadex may yield false positive results with certain diabetes urine tests. It can also enhance the effects of indirect anticoagulants, phenylbutazone, and furosemide. Salicylates and indomethacin can impede the kidneys' ability to eliminate cephalexin. Medications that reduce renal tubular secretion can raise the serum concentration of the drug and slow down its elimination.
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and resume your usual schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
If you encounter severe and persistent symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or blood in your urine, consult your doctor for medical advice.