Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed drug to fight bacterial infections. Cephalexin is an antibiotic that belongs to the Cephalosporin group of drugs. Cephalexin is commonly known as Keflex and is able to inhibit or inhibit the growth of bacteria. The effectiveness of the drug depends on how it is taken. Therefore, you need to know how to take Cephalexin before starting any treatment. Below are instructions on how to take Cephalexin.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Take Cephalexin

1. 

   Follow your doctor's instructions when taking Caphalexin. Do not take more or less of the medicine or take it for longer than directed by your doctor. Read the directions on the label carefully before taking it.

2. 

   
   
   Take Cephalexin in capsules or tablets with water. Cephalexin capsules or tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Other drinks may affect how well the medicine works.
   • Do not chew or try to dissolve pills or tablets in your mouth. The drug should be swallowed with water.

3. 

   
   
   Use water to dissolve the capsules if you take soluble Cephalexin. For soluble tablets, do not chew or swallow the tablet. Dissolved tablets are designed to be combined with the liquid before taking it to allow the body to metabolize the drug faster.
   • Dissolve the drug in 2 teaspoons of water. Stir until completely dissolved and drink immediately.
   • To make sure you finish the medicine, you should add more water to the cup to dissolve the remainder and drink it.

4. 

   
   
   Take liquid Cephalexin as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions when taking liquid Cephalexin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. For liquid Cephalexin, you need to shake the bottle before drinking.
   • Use a cup or spoon to take the correct dose. Usually, the dose indicated is usually in ml form, so doctors usually recommend a syringe (without the injection) to measure. If you don't have a measuring device, you should check with your pharmacist.

5. 

   Store Cephalexin in a cool, dry place. Cephalexin drugs should be stored properly. Store the medicine in a cool, dry place, the temperature should not exceed 30 degrees C. Do not store the medicine in the bathroom because moisture may affect the quality of the capsule or tablet.
   • Liquid Cephalexin should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not store the medicine in the freezer. Do not use the drug that has been stored after 14 days.

6. 

   Eat some food or drink a glass of milk when taking Cephalexin. Cephalexn can cause stomach upset if not taken after eating. To prevent stomach upset, you should take Cephalexin after a meal, after a snack or after drinking milk. If the stomach is still painful or the pain is too severe, talk to your doctor.

7. 

   Take the missed dose of Cephelexin as soon as you remember. However, if you are only 1-2 hours away from your next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next dose is scheduled.
   • Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Doing so may cause overdose and side effects.
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Part 2 of 4: Understanding Cephalexin

1. 

   Understand that Cephalexin is used to fight bacteria in the body. Cephalexins are known to be disinfectants, which means they inhibit or break down bacterial cell walls and cause cells to explode or burst.
   • Cephalexin is effective against gram-positive bacteria. These bacteria include bacillus, corynebacterium, clostridium, listeria, staphylococcus and streptococcus.
   • Cephalexin does not work in treating viral infections. It is also not used to treat methicillin-resistant staph infection (MRSA).

2. 

   Take Cephalexin to fight bacterial infections. Cephalexin is mainly used to fight bacterial infections. Bacterial infections can include bone and joint infections, pneumonia, skin, urinary tract infections and otitis media.
   • In some cases, Cephalexin is used as a preventive medicine, that is, used to prevent some bacterial infections. For example, Cephalexin is used to prevent endocarditis (endocarditis) caused by infection.

3. 

   Be aware that improper use of Cephalexin can impair its effectiveness. Taking Cephalexin without a bacterial infection can decrease its effectiveness when you really need it. Cephalexin also reduces effectiveness if the dose is not taken enough or in a cycle as prescribed by your doctor.
   • Talk to your doctor if you still have symptoms of infection after taking medication.
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Part 3 of 4: Talk to your doctor about Cephalexin

1. 

   Talk to your doctor about allergies (if any). Do not take Cephalexin if you are allergic to the drug. In most cases, people allergic to Cephalexin will also be allergic to other Cephalosporin antibiotics.
   • Some drugs of the Cephalosporin group include Cefaclor, Cefadroxil, Cefdinir, Cefditoren, Cefixime, Cefprozil, Ceftazidime, and Cefuroxime.
   • Cephalosporin drugs begin with the word "Cef". Knowing this can help you avoid medication if you have allergies.
   • Also, should inform your doctor if you are allergic to Penicillin or Amoxicillin. People allergic to Penicillin or Amoxicilli have a higher risk of allergy to Cephalexin.

2. 

   Talk to your doctor about any underlying medical condition (if any). Cephalexin should not be used if you have certain underlying medical conditions. You should not take Cephalexin if you have kidney disease, liver disease, colitis, diabetes, and malnutrition. Most of these diseases change the body's ability to metabolize Cephalexin.
   • For example, Cephalexin contains sugar, so people with diabetes should not use it.

3. 

   Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant. There are not many studies on the effects of Cephalexin on the fetus. Therefore, it's best to talk to your doctor about alternative medicines if you are pregnant. Cephalexin should only be taken by pregnant women when there is no other option.

4. 

   Talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking. If you are taking other medicines other than Cephalexin, let your doctor know. Medicines can cause drug interactions with Cephalexin, that is affecting the effectiveness of Cephalexin.
   • For example, some vaccines that contain bacteria, such as the typhoid vaccine and BCG vaccine, can be affected by Cephalexin. In addition, some studies also show that Cephalexin can affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills. Therefore, you can still get pregnant if you take Cephalexin while taking birth control pills.
   • Other drugs that may interact with Cephalexin include Coumadin, Metformin and Probenecid.

5. 

   Talk to your doctor if you are taking herbal supplements. Certain herbs can affect the effectiveness of Cephalexin, so it's important to tell your doctor about any herbs or supplements you are taking.

6. 

   Talk to your doctor if you think that Cephalexin is not suitable for you. If you feel that you should not take Cephalexin, you should let your doctor know. Your doctor may decrease your dose or change a new medication for you.
   • Special tests such as a skin test may be done to determine if it is safe to give you Cephalexin.
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Part 4 of 4: Recognizing the signs that you should see your doctor

1. 

   Talk to your doctor before Take medicines. This is a very important step as your doctor will be able to give you comprehensive, accurate instructions regarding taking the medicine properly. Do not arbitrarily use Cephalexin or take other people's medications.

2. 

   Inform your doctor if you experience serious side effects or persistent side effects. Cephalexin can cause mild and short-term side effects. However, you should talk to your doctor right away if the side effects become serious and difficult to control, such as:
   • Stomachache
   • Vomiting
   • Mild rash on the skin
   • mild skin rashes

3. 

   See your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects or have symptoms of an allergic reaction. When taking Cephalexin and experiencing serious side effects, you should see your doctor right away. Serious side effects to watch out for include:
   • Difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing
   • Unusual bleeding or bruising
   • Sore throat
   • Vaginal infections
   • Wheeze
   • Hives
   • Severe skin rash
   • Itchy
   • Sore mouth or sore throat
   • Severe diarrhea or waste with blood or mucus
   • Dark or light urine
   • Fever
   • Pale or yellow skin
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Advice

• The oral dose of Cephalexin can be different. Factors that influence the oral dose include age, weight, sex, type and severity of the infection, allergies, and more. Knowing the correct and correct dose in each particular case is very important. You should not decide on your own oral dose of Cephalexin without first talking to your doctor.
• Should immediately call the nearest medical facility if Cephalexin overdose is taken.

Warning

• Take Cephalexin according to the prescribed time. Taking the pill may help you feel better faster than expected, but you shouldn't stop taking it. In some cases, recurrent infections will occur due to discontinuation of the drug before the indicated time.
• Do not give your medication to anyone else. It is prescribed for you by your doctor and may not work as well for others.