Manufacturer: Cipla, India
Pharmaceutical name: Cephalexin
Pack: 10 pills (500 mg)
Cephadex is a cephalosporin antibiotic utilized for treating respiratory and ear infections. It belongs to the cephalosporin antibiotic group, which targets bacteria by inhibiting their cell wall formation. While it is relatively resistant to penicillinases produced by gram-positive bacteria, it can be susceptible to beta-lactamases from gram-negative bacteria.
It demonstrates a broad spectrum of activity against gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Clostridium, Actinomyces israelii, and Bacillus anthracis, as well as against gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus mirabilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Shigella, and Salmonella. Frequent infections treated with Cephadex include 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 in divided doses, with intervals of 6 to 12 hours depending on the specific infection.
Before starting Cephadex, inform your doctor if you have any drug allergies (particularly to penicillins), or if you suffer from kidney or liver issues, gastrointestinal disorders like colitis, or diabetes.
Hypersensitivity reactions to Cephadex, cephalosporins, and beta-lactam antibiotics can occur. Caution is advised for patients with kidney issues, pseudomembranous colitis, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for infants under 6 months of age.
The most common side effects can include allergic reactions (hives, rash, swelling of the face and tongue), seizures, fever, sore throat, and headache, as well as severe skin reactions characterized by blistering, peeling, and redness, jaundice, dark urine, fever, hallucinations, confusion, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual fatigue, agitation, and reduced or absent urination. Seek immediate medical attention for serious and persistent side effects.
Notify your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, especially live vaccines and probenecid. Cephalexin may reduce the effectiveness of combination contraceptive pills. Cephadex can also give false positive results in certain diabetic urine tests. Additionally, it enhances the effects of indirect anticoagulants, phenylbutazone, and furosemide. Salicylates and indomethacin can slow the kidney's excretion of cephalexin. Medications that reduce renal tubular secretion may increase the concentration of the drug in the blood serum and prolong its elimination.
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Never take double doses of this medication.
If you experience severe and persistent symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, or blood in your urine, consult your doctor for medical advice.