Keflex (Cephalexin) - Summary

KEFLEX SUMMARY

Keflex® (Cephalexin Capsules, USP) is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic intended for oral administration.

Keflex is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms:

Respiratory tract infections caused by S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes (Penicillin is the usual drug of choice in the treatment and prevention of streptococcal infections, including the prophylaxis of rheumatic fever. Keflex is generally effective in the eradication of streptococci from the nasopharynx; however, substantial data establishing the efficacy of Keflex in the subsequent prevention of rheumatic fever are not available at present.)

Otitis media due to S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, staphylococci, streptococci, and M. catarrhalis

Skin and skin structure infections caused by staphylococci and/or streptococci

Bone infections caused by staphylococci and/or P. mirabilis

Genitourinary tract infections, including acute prostatitis, caused by E. coli, P. mirabilis, and K. pneumoniae

Note --Culture and susceptibility tests should be initiated prior to and during therapy. Renal function studies should be performed when indicated.

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Keflex and other antibacterial drugs, Keflex should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Keflex (Cephalexin)

Efficacy and tolerability of once-daily cephalexin in canine superficial pyoderma: an open controlled study. [2008.08]
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oral cephalexin given at 30 mg/kg once daily in dogs with superficial pyoderma and to compare them with those of oral cephalexin given at 15 mg/kg twice daily. METHODS: Twenty dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated with cephalexin at 30 to 60 mg/kg orally once daily (group A) and compared with 20 dogs treated at a dose of 15 to 30 mg/kg orally twice daily (group B)...

randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of cephalexin for treatment of uncomplicated skin abscesses in a population at risk for community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. [2007.11]
Empirical use of beta-lactam antibiotics, the preferred agents for treating uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, may no longer be appropriate for these infections because of the increasing prevalence of community strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)...

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Cephalexin for Treatment of Uncomplicated Skin Abscesses in a Population at Risk for Community Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection. [2007.09.10]
Background- Empirical use of beta-lactam antibiotics, the preferred agents for treating uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infections, may no longer be appropriate for these infections because of increasing prevalence of community strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)...

Topical retapamulin ointment (1%, wt/wt) twice daily for 5 days versus oral cephalexin twice daily for 10 days in the treatment of secondarily infected dermatitis: results of a randomized controlled trial. [2006.12]
BACKGROUND: New antibacterial agents with activity against pathogenic strains resistant to established antibiotics are needed to treat patients with secondarily infected dermatitis (SID). OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of topical retapamulin ointment 1% versus oral cephalexin for the treatment of SID... CONCLUSIONS: Retapamulin ointment 1% (bid) for 5 days was as effective as oral cephalexin (bid) for 10 days in treatment of patients with SID, and was well tolerated.

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of oral terbinafine and ketoconazole combined with cephalexin in the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs--a pilot study. [2005.06]
The purpose of this randomized, single blinded clinical trial was to evaluate cytologically and clinically the efficacy of oral cephalexin alone and its combination with terbinafine or ketoconazole for the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs. Twenty-two client-owned dogs with Malassezia dermatitis completed the 3-week study...

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Clinical Trials Related to Keflex (Cephalexin)

Comparison of Cephalexin Versus Clindamycin for Empiric Treatment of Suspected CA-MRSA Skin Infections [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to help define the role of antibiotics in the treatment of pediatric skin infections caused by CA-MRSA. We hypothesize that treatment with cephalexin, a penicillin-like antibiotic to which CA-MRSA would be expected to be resistant, does not result in poorer outcomes than treatment with clindamycin, an antibiotic to which CA-MRSA is most often susceptible.

A Study to Compare Cefdinir and Cephalexin for the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Uncomplicated Skin Infections [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and tolerability of cefdinir to that of cephalexin in patients with mild to moderate uncomplicated skin/skin structure infections.

Ciprofloxacin Compared With Cephalexin in Treating Patients With Bladder Cancer [Active, not recruiting]
RATIONALE: Chemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development or recurrence of cancer. It is not yet known whether ciprofloxacin is more effective than cephalexin in preventing cancer recurrence in patients who are undergoing surgery to treat bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin with that of cephalexin in preventing recurrence of cancer in patients who are undergoing surgery for bladder cancer.

The Impact of Treating Staphylococcus Aureus Infection and Colonization on the Clinical Severity of Atopic Dermatitis [Recruiting]
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection is perceived not only as a common secondary complication of atopic dermatitis (AD), but also as a culprit in the worsening of this condition. In addition, the recent development of community acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) has presented a new challenge to our management of AD, both in treatment of acute infections and maintenance therapy. We would like to perform a randomized investigator-blinded placebo-controlled study of children aged 6 months to 17 years with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis with clinical signs of secondary bacterial infection to study: 1) the prevalence of CA-MRSA in our patient population; 2) the relationship of sensitivity of the S. aureus organism cultured from the infected lesion(s) to clinical response to oral cephalexin therapy and severity of the AD; and 3) whether concurrent treatment of S. aureus infection initially with nasal mupirocin ointment and sodium hypochlorite (bleach) baths can result in long-term S. aureus eradication and clinical stability.

Study of New Antibiotic Regimen for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Cellulitis in Emergency Department Patients [Recruiting]
The primary aim of this study is to quantify the effectiveness of Bactrim as additional therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated cellulitis in adults, by comparing: standard therapy plus Bactrim, versus standard therapy plus placebo.

The primary hypothesis of this study is that, in light of increasing CA-MRSA prevalence, subjects treated with standard therapy plus Bactrim will have higher cure rates than those treated with standard therapy plus placebo.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Keflex review by 43 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		post surgery antibiotic
Dosage & duration:		500mg taken one cap 3 x day for the period of week
Other conditions:		depression
Other drugs taken:		noone
		Reported Results
Benefits:		removed bacteria from a rather invasive surgery that could have encountered complications which could lead to other serious side effects
Side effects:		None - i experienced no side effects and was very happy with the results. Will use this product again if i need to.
Comments:		Taking One capsule 3 times per day to combat infection and I found it to work effectively

Keflex review by 47 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		shortness of breath, itching all over
Dosage & duration:		4 capsules taken 1x/day for the period of one day
Other conditions:		hypothyroid, mild Mitral Valve Prolapse
Other drugs taken:		Synthroid
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I took the Keflex before my dental apppointment because of Mitral Valve Prolapse. I did not get a heart infection.
Side effects:		I developed shortness of breath and itching all over my body. I had to go to E.R. There was also a slight skin redness.
Comments:		I took the Keflex one hour before my dental appointment. I got my teeth cleaned. On my way home, I started itching all over my body and developed a slight rash with reddening. I also felt like I could not breathe or get enough oxygen. So instead of going home, I went to E.R. They gave me an injection (I don't remember the name) and told me to use Benadryl at home for a couple days. If it got worse, the doctor said to return to E.R.

Keflex review by 37 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Marginally Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		severe upper respitory tract infection
Dosage & duration:		1 tablet daily taken 1 once daily, seven days for the period of 1 week
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Mild suppression of the infection, slightly reduced upper respitory tract symptoms, some reduced coughing, some reduced mucus production. The symptoms took at least 5 out of the seven days to begin to dissipate, which is very slow compared to another antibiotic such as Maxamox. Unfortunately the side effects were more noticeable than the treatment benefits, and the prescribing doctor mistook the side effects for another symptom that was not actually present.
Side effects:		Swollen glands, especially in breasts. My breasts became enlarged and very painful, causing my doctor to diagnose pregnancy. Of course this was not the case, as I tested negative for pregnancy, and my doctor was reluctant to believe that the Keflex had anything to do with it. My father noted same side effects after a similar course of Keflex. He developed painful and swollen glands in mouth and neck. Also, the management of the URTI took much longer than with other antibiotics. My symptoms seemed to linger on and on.
Comments:		I had a severe URTI with bronchial coughing, headache, muscular and joint pains, and general feeling of fatigue. My doctor presecribed Keflex as an antibiotic, she regarded it as a most effective treatment for this severe URTI. I was to take one tablet (I forget the dosage) once a day for a week to ten days. As I was working I had no time to rest and had to rely on Panamax to held suppress the symptoms. Unfortunately within a day my breasts became sore and swollen, and at the end of the week I returned to my GP who tried to diagnose pregnancy when there was not the slightest possibility of this. I finished the course of Keflex, only to take on another antibiotic at the end of the course since the Keflex did such a poor job.