Cephalexin

Uses:
CEPHALEXIN is a cephalosporin antibiotic and is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections.

How to Take:
The liquid suspension form of this medication must be shaken well before using. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by taking the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. Continue to take CEPHALEXIN until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

Side Effects:
CEPHALEXIN may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting. Take with food or milk to minimize these effects. If they persist or become severe, inform your doctor. Unlikely to occur but report: fever; easy bleeding or bruising; a change in the amount of urine. Notify your doctor immediately if an allergic reaction occurs while taking CEPHALEXIN. Symptoms include: difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives, itching. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions:
Before taking CEPHALEXIN, tell your doctor if you have: allergies (including penicillins, cephalosporins, or any other drug), kidney disease. Use of CEPHALEXIN for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection). CEPHALEXIN should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not known if CEPHALEXIN is found in breast milk; consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially: drugs used for gout such as probenecid. CEPHALEXIN may interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Discuss using other methods of birth control with your doctor. CEPHALEXIN may cause false positive results in tests for sugar in the urine. Diabetics should use TesTape rather than Clinitest tablets to test for sugar while using CEPHALEXIN. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

Notes:
CEPHALEXIN has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection or give it to someone else. A different medication may be necessary.

Missed Dose:
If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose.

Storage:
Follow label warnings about whether or not to refrigerate. Do not freeze. Do not store in bathroom. Discard any unused portion after 14 days because the drug loses potency.

NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.